I love watching Joel Osteen. I have subscribed to his show on TiVo and I keep most of them to watch over and over. I have been watching every week for over nine months. Right now I am watching for the second time in a row this morning the show broadcasted from Houston. His messages are positive and inspirational. He smiles, when most ministers look so serious and grim that it looks like what they are doing is the last thing on earth that they want to be doing, as if it is a millstone around their neck. I think Joel Osteen should be training ministers all over the world because his messages reach people and draw people in. He should start the Joel Osteen Franchise Ministery. He either has to do this or he needs to clone himself so he can go into every community around the world. I like him and I feel better after listening to him.
You're great Joel! The world needs you. I know I do.
Sunday, July 05, 2009
Merlin
Merlin is a new series on NBC. It comes on Sunday nights. I've enjoyed watching it and look forward to more and more. It's well done and worth watching.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
$5 Jeans
On June 12th, Leslie had a doctor’s appointment in Salem so I drove. We were early so we walked around the Salem downtown mall for fun. I saw a going-out-of-business sale at Lane Bryant. I was sorry to see Lane Bryant close the downtown Salem store but I was interested in looking at bargains. I love bargain shopping. I found $5 jeans. I bought three because three $5 jeans were cheaper than buying one pair of jeans at regular price. I haven’t bought jeans in years except for Chic Jeans and now Chic Jeans don’t come in my size. These jeans were in a size big enough for me. Such a deal! I love them. The only problem is that I’m starting to lose weight, just at a time when I have three pairs of great jeans that fit me.
The Evening Star
Yesterday I watched a great movie with Shirley MacLaine. I love Shirley MacLaine. I’ve never seen this film. It has such great lines with great characters and layers of emotions in the network of relationships. Aurora Greenway lived, loved, and when she died, she was surrounded by people who loved her.
Cause No Harm
Sometimes bullies rule and courage is needed to stand up to them. Cause no harm is a philosophy of many but it is not the philosophy of Wade Haslam and Lars Olsen, both members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who have caused harm to me. Are they sorry? Why? Is it because I question and because I want to know the truth?
Maybe the truth lies in a comment made to my husband by an x-Navy man who lived in Gates, Oregon. It was the first time I had heard the word mafia linked to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and used in the same sentence.
I know Wade Haslam believes in control. He told my husband to shut me up and control me. Leslie told him, “Why? She’s right.”
Do I have a right to stand up for myself? Yes, I believe I do.
Maybe the truth lies in a comment made to my husband by an x-Navy man who lived in Gates, Oregon. It was the first time I had heard the word mafia linked to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and used in the same sentence.
I know Wade Haslam believes in control. He told my husband to shut me up and control me. Leslie told him, “Why? She’s right.”
Do I have a right to stand up for myself? Yes, I believe I do.
My Teeth
My teeth are in bad shape. Periodically, I have to gargle with a solution of water and hydrogen peroxide because of inflamed gums.
My last trip to the dentist was to see Dr. Mark Henke in Corvallis who is in the same building with Wade Haslam, an orthodontist. I asked Dr. Henke about fixing my front tooth and he said he wouldn’t. His assistant was shocked that he wouldn’t help me. Why wouldn’t he help me? We paid him hundreds of dollars in payments. I asked him to pull a tooth that gave me constant pain and headaches. I told him about the pain at each visit and finally I threatened to have my husband pull it with pliers at home so he pulled it. As he looked at the extracted tooth, he commented to the nurse, “See how it calcified.” I asked to take the tooth home. Attached to the tooth was what looked like a computer chip covered in a white substance. Dr. Henke said my tooth had a deep crack all the way through so it was no wonder that it gave me constant pain. Couldn’t he see this with the repeated x-rays of this tooth at every visit?
What was going on that I wasn’t told? I know that Oregon State University and Hewlett Packard in Corvallis are centers of nanotechnology. Was I an experiment?
My last trip to the dentist was to see Dr. Mark Henke in Corvallis who is in the same building with Wade Haslam, an orthodontist. I asked Dr. Henke about fixing my front tooth and he said he wouldn’t. His assistant was shocked that he wouldn’t help me. Why wouldn’t he help me? We paid him hundreds of dollars in payments. I asked him to pull a tooth that gave me constant pain and headaches. I told him about the pain at each visit and finally I threatened to have my husband pull it with pliers at home so he pulled it. As he looked at the extracted tooth, he commented to the nurse, “See how it calcified.” I asked to take the tooth home. Attached to the tooth was what looked like a computer chip covered in a white substance. Dr. Henke said my tooth had a deep crack all the way through so it was no wonder that it gave me constant pain. Couldn’t he see this with the repeated x-rays of this tooth at every visit?
What was going on that I wasn’t told? I know that Oregon State University and Hewlett Packard in Corvallis are centers of nanotechnology. Was I an experiment?
Crime
I got up this morning to watch the latest episode of Harper’s Island. John Wakefield is killing everyone on the island. It turned my attention to crime. In almost every large city in the United States there is violent crime. I recently read in Portland Monthly that in downtown Portland, the violent crimes are around 246 per year. I love downtown Portland and it should be protected. It has the Zoo, OMSI, the Portland Art Museum, and Broadway plays. Law abiding citizens are at the mercy of criminals at the time that law enforcement budgets are cut. I’ve learned from television that you can’t walk in Central Park in NYC at night because of criminals.
In September, 1993, Leslie and I visited China on a 17 day tour with Ocean Pacific. We walked on the Great Wall. In June, 1993, I had a bout with breast cancer and Leslie made the decision to start traveling. Life is short and he figured that it is far better to travel while you can, instead of waiting until you are stuck in a wheel chair. Money from a law suit made it possible.
In one of the large cities, our tour bus stopped at a large intersection. All traffic stopped. Several large flatbed trucks went by. On the back were prisoners dressed in white who were blindfolded and their hands tied behind their back. Three gunmen were surrounding each criminal. We asked on the tour bus what was happening. We were told that the criminals were taken to the edge of the city to be shot and their family would be charged for the bullet. No trial with a jury.
In the center of a different city, we were able to stop at a street market at night in safety. We were told that you walk without fear in China because law abiding citizens are safe. Now China is a major power. The intelligent, hard-working Chinese are protected and flourish.
I believe that it is important to protect the legal rights of the individual but it isn’t okay to allow those who commit violent crime to harass law abiding citizens and repeat these crimes.
In September, 1993, Leslie and I visited China on a 17 day tour with Ocean Pacific. We walked on the Great Wall. In June, 1993, I had a bout with breast cancer and Leslie made the decision to start traveling. Life is short and he figured that it is far better to travel while you can, instead of waiting until you are stuck in a wheel chair. Money from a law suit made it possible.
In one of the large cities, our tour bus stopped at a large intersection. All traffic stopped. Several large flatbed trucks went by. On the back were prisoners dressed in white who were blindfolded and their hands tied behind their back. Three gunmen were surrounding each criminal. We asked on the tour bus what was happening. We were told that the criminals were taken to the edge of the city to be shot and their family would be charged for the bullet. No trial with a jury.
In the center of a different city, we were able to stop at a street market at night in safety. We were told that you walk without fear in China because law abiding citizens are safe. Now China is a major power. The intelligent, hard-working Chinese are protected and flourish.
I believe that it is important to protect the legal rights of the individual but it isn’t okay to allow those who commit violent crime to harass law abiding citizens and repeat these crimes.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Timberhill Athletic Club
I went to Timberhill Athletic Club yesterday. I don't have medical insurance. Instead of paying for medical insurance, I pay for prevention. I think that the money is much better spent on prevention and healthy choices than on insurance that you may not use, especially when I can't afford the several hundred dollars a month or more that it would cost for insurance.
I was in the deep end of the pool for an hour putzing around and on the elliptical runner for an hour. Then I went into the room with the weight machines and went around three times on seven machines. Pretty good for a fat girl.
When you go to Timberhill Athletic Club you are spoiled rotten with all the great athletic equipment, variety of choices, great classes almost every hour in several classrooms, all the pools, the sauna, the steamroom, and hot tubs. It's the best money spent in a month for me, as far as I am concerned. It's almost like heaven being there. It's kind of strange that I should really enjoy exercising but I do. I don't go to socialize. I go to exercise and take care of myself. I'm being selfish when I walk through the door. I love it there. I wish I lived within walking distance so that I could go there every day. It's essential in my life and if people really valued their health, everyone in the Corvallis area would be members and go often. It's the best place for the money in the area. It's huge and spacious.
I was in the deep end of the pool for an hour putzing around and on the elliptical runner for an hour. Then I went into the room with the weight machines and went around three times on seven machines. Pretty good for a fat girl.
When you go to Timberhill Athletic Club you are spoiled rotten with all the great athletic equipment, variety of choices, great classes almost every hour in several classrooms, all the pools, the sauna, the steamroom, and hot tubs. It's the best money spent in a month for me, as far as I am concerned. It's almost like heaven being there. It's kind of strange that I should really enjoy exercising but I do. I don't go to socialize. I go to exercise and take care of myself. I'm being selfish when I walk through the door. I love it there. I wish I lived within walking distance so that I could go there every day. It's essential in my life and if people really valued their health, everyone in the Corvallis area would be members and go often. It's the best place for the money in the area. It's huge and spacious.
Consumer Beware!
Boy, did I get a consumer lesson yesterday when I went to the Safeway on Philomath Boulevard in Corvallis. My husband wanted me to get some Oscar Mayer hot dogs that were on sale in the Safeway ad listed for 2 for $3.00. The ad said assorted varieties. My husband, Leslie, also cut out a coupon that would give me $1.00 off, if I bought two packages of Oscar Mayer hot dogs. I also had a 50 cent double coupon so I was expecting to pay $1.50 for both packages of hot dogs. So I went to try to find the hot dogs in the massive store. I found the signs that said 2 for $3.00 for Oscar Mayer hot dogs. One said bun length and beef hot dogs so that is what I selected. That is all I purchased in the store. I decided to go to the check stand with the store manager since I figured with all the coupons, I didn't want any problems. I figured he would know what he was doing. I know him on sight since I have applied to work at Safeway without success when the store was remodeled and I gave him my resume personally and talked to him. When I got to the checkstand and the manager waited on me, I was shocked at the interaction. He's a tall man, a big guy who probably played football years ago. He has dark wavy, curly hair and I think his name is Jeff or Jeffrey. He scanned the hotdogs and said it was 2 for $6.00. I gave him my Safeway club card, my coupons, and said that it was 2 for $3.00. He left the cash register and said he was going to check on the price. I figured that was fine and I waited. He came back sticking to his story that the hotdogs were 2 for $6 so I said that we need to go back and look at the signage. I commented that maybe I needed to take a digital photo of the price on the shelf next time. I was treated like I had lied. He didn't treat me with respect. He's treated me like this in the past so I decided to stand up for myself. We got to the hotdog section and he pointed to the 2 for $6.00 sign for Oscar Mayer hot dogs and I pointed to the two signs that said 2 for $3.00 for Oscar Mayer hot dogs. He said it wasn't bun length so I pointed to the sign that said bun length and repeated bun length twice so he would get it into his thick skull. He took the sign off the shelf and said he would give it to me for the price but it wasn't going to happen again. He raced back to the cash register and it was hard for me to keep up. I said that I wasn't a liar and that I'm meticulous and careful. When we got back to the cash register, he said that for my trouble, he would give it to me free since I had already given him a coupon for $1.50 off. I thought that was great and I appreciated it. I was thinking of blogging it yesterday but decided not to. Today I found the cash register receipt in my purse where it said that the cash register rang it up in the first place as 2 for $3.00 so now I know he knew the price was 2 for $3.00. You have to watch all the time. He's probably a Mormon. Am I going into this Safeway again? Not if I can help it and I will be on guard every minute, if I do. If the price is posted and listed in an ad, you should be able to get it for the price without problems.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
My Garden
I have big plans for my garden and yard. It will take time, money, an endless supply of manure hay and compost. I've been having fun sculpting the blank canvas that is my yard and garden putting an azalea here and a dianthus there to add color and texture. My main concern is putting in raised beds to grow our own food and to add fruit and nut trees. I want to add lots of blueberry bushes.
I love my new raised beds. I have seven so far and I appreciate all that my husband has done to help me make it happen even though he hasn't felt great this year. I want to add a lot more. One or two a month, if possible. I have found that I can add supports on the sides to cover with plastic so I can create mini greenhouses during the winter. Oh the possibilities.........the color, all the food, all the fun.
I love my new raised beds. I have seven so far and I appreciate all that my husband has done to help me make it happen even though he hasn't felt great this year. I want to add a lot more. One or two a month, if possible. I have found that I can add supports on the sides to cover with plastic so I can create mini greenhouses during the winter. Oh the possibilities.........the color, all the food, all the fun.
Protect Women and Children
Women and children all over the world need protection and legal rights. Here it is 2009 and women still don't have equal rights in the U.S. Constitution.
Children aren't protected. Creepy men who abuse children have more rights and nothing is done to stop it. Most cases aren't brought to court and a slap on the hand is what most abusers get.
Many women around the world are not allowed to dream and have a better life. Many women throughout the world are expected to shut up, obey without question, and do as they are told. They are expected to succumb to whatever is expected. This has been going on for centuries. When is this going to stop?
Women and children need full legal protection.
Children aren't protected. Creepy men who abuse children have more rights and nothing is done to stop it. Most cases aren't brought to court and a slap on the hand is what most abusers get.
Many women around the world are not allowed to dream and have a better life. Many women throughout the world are expected to shut up, obey without question, and do as they are told. They are expected to succumb to whatever is expected. This has been going on for centuries. When is this going to stop?
Women and children need full legal protection.
Al Franken
I received a phone call yesterday by an arm of the National Democratic Party concerned with control of Congress in the next 10 years and gerrymandering by the Republican Party. To that I say....not only don't I have any extra money but what about Al Franken in Minnesota. Why aren't Democrats working to get Al Franken seated?
Why are Republicans allowed to keep this going in the courts without resolution? For heavens sakes, it's June! Is it because he has a strong voice and would make a difference? Is it because he is competent and smart? Is it because he just might change things?
We need the strong voice of Al Franken in Congress.
I was watching a Republican being interviewed on television who made the statement that you don't need an IQ test to become a member of Congress. I think there are a lot of people who shouldn't be in Congress, who take money for votes, and who don't have the brains to solve problems to make our country better.
Maybe there needs to be criteria for a seat in Congress--education, problem-solving skills, negotiation experience, proof that they can't be bought, etc.
Why are Republicans allowed to keep this going in the courts without resolution? For heavens sakes, it's June! Is it because he has a strong voice and would make a difference? Is it because he is competent and smart? Is it because he just might change things?
We need the strong voice of Al Franken in Congress.
I was watching a Republican being interviewed on television who made the statement that you don't need an IQ test to become a member of Congress. I think there are a lot of people who shouldn't be in Congress, who take money for votes, and who don't have the brains to solve problems to make our country better.
Maybe there needs to be criteria for a seat in Congress--education, problem-solving skills, negotiation experience, proof that they can't be bought, etc.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Alsea Valley Voice
I volunteered to be the Editor of the Alsea Valley Voice since Rolfe Hagen is busy with other projects. I've written several newsletters in the past and I figured that this would be a way to contribute to the community and be more involved. I've been receiving mixed signals. I was told to go the ACE Board meeting and show them my writing resume and newsletters I've written so I did. When I got to the meeting, they wanted to know why I was there. I asked for five minutes to present. I showed them a notebook of two years of newsletters that I have written for the Mid-Valley Quilt Guild in Salem using Microsoft Publisher and a church newsletter along with issues of the East Salem News. I handed out my writing resume. I was told I couldn't change the integrity of the design of the newsletter. I was told that I was not allowed to have youth on staff to report. I was told that I am not allowed to report on the news in Alsea. I was told that I am not allowed to interview people for the AVV. Nothing like squeezing all the fun out of a project. Nothing can change for now. We can't go to a monthly issue. Now I wish I hadn't volunteered. I'll need to photocopy the last issue in order to cut it apart to scan in the masthead and advertising bites. Yes, I can do it but it is not with the same level of enthusiasm. I haven't received one article yet from anyone and the deadline is July 1. My husband said maybe I will have to leave space saying, "this is the space for the article that _____ didn't turn in." We'll see what happens. I did receive an e-mail from one regular writer who said she didn't have anything to write about for this issue even though July is going to be a busy month in Alsea and there might be a Blackberry Festival in September. I think some people around here in Alsea wishes I would move or fade into the woodwork never to be heard from again. One neighbor told me yesterday that maybe I would like it in New Zealand. I like to help out. I like to be involved. I enjoy being around people. I don't really enjoy lots of walls put up to prevent growth. The last newsletter I wrote was for the Corvallis Cruisers in Corvallis, the Volkswalk group. That was fun. I enjoy putting together newsletters but it is fun to have some kind of room to breathe and grow. Maybe I'm not the right person to be the Editor of the Alsea Valley Voice. There needs to be someone who will make sure nothing changes and that everyone will enjoy having as Editor.
Highway 20 Writing Group
I now belong to a new writing critique group with three other women. They are all serious writers and the emphasis is on publication. I feel lucky to be part of the group. One is a retired university professor who is writing a science suspense novel, another is writing humorous memoir, and the third is a former school psychologist who has published two beautiful children's science books in the past and is working on a middle-grade novel. These women are all smart and I can learn from all of them.
Rite Aid
I have Rite Aid to thank for some of the great plants in my yard and garden that I bought at great prices. My eyes nearly popped out of their sockets when I saw that healthy rhododendrons and azaleas were only $5.99 regular price at the 9th Street location in Corvallis a few weeks ago. I bought several and put them around my yard. I will enjoy the beauty for years to come. On Tuesdays with your Rite Aid card, you can even get a discount on some items. I love their plant nursery.
East Salem News
I recently printed out pages of the East Salem News, a publication I started in Salem, Oregon years ago. It was fun to look with pride over the work that was done showcasing people doing amazing things, smart kids, and events in East Salem. It was a cut and paste tabloid that was given out free. We lived on Crown Court in East Salem at the time and kids in the neighborhood were on staff working with my own kids. We literally typed columns of print and pasted it in place to be printed at Eagle Web Press. I read one letter that I had long forgotten. It was by a professor from the University of Oregon who congratulated our efforts. I am proud of what was accomplished and the work that went into the paper. It was a no frills way to get out the news in the cheapest possible way before self publishing newsletter programs on computers.
Oprah
I recently watched the heartbreaking special on tent cities with Lisa Ling on Oprah. I've always liked Lisa Ling and admire her work. She showed the sadness and heartbreak of people who had a home and a job last year who now live in tent cities across the country and are homeless. It's outrageous that we send money to care for people in other countries and not care about our people first.
It's not okay for children to be homeless. It's not okay for anyone to be without adequate shelter and food. It's not okay for anyone to be without health care. We need to invest in the potential of people. We need to make a university education free to anyone willing to do the work and who wants to learn. I'd love to go back to school. I have my bachelors degree but I want to get my MFA in writing. Sometimes I regret not going to law school. It would be fun to go to law school and become an advocate for the people without a voice and who feel powerless.
I switch to another channel and I hear Republicans that want to go back to the way things were so they can steal more money and dig an even deeper economic hole. I shake my head and sigh. Has everyone forgotten the last nine months of devastation? Just because President Obama has started to turn things around doesn't mean we can go back to the way things were. Change is needed. Permanent change to prevent further problems. Social security needs to be protected. The elderly and children need to be protected. The standards of education must be lifted up to compete with the best education you can receive anywhere in the world. People must be held accountable. Businesses must be held accountable and not allowed to charge a zillion times the price of a product just to take advantage and pad their bank account. Just because they have gotten away with it in the past, doesn't mean it's okay. It's not okay. The quality of life in our country must be raised and protected. We need to invest in people. We need to make sure that preventions are in place and secure so that everyone has a chance to dream and have a better life. No one should worry about being homeless or going hungry. No one should worry about health care or illness.
Oprah is a shining star on television who has the courage to make a difference and speak out on issues important to all of us and to help people. She has sacrificed so much to be a great leader. I admire her and love her.
It's not okay for children to be homeless. It's not okay for anyone to be without adequate shelter and food. It's not okay for anyone to be without health care. We need to invest in the potential of people. We need to make a university education free to anyone willing to do the work and who wants to learn. I'd love to go back to school. I have my bachelors degree but I want to get my MFA in writing. Sometimes I regret not going to law school. It would be fun to go to law school and become an advocate for the people without a voice and who feel powerless.
I switch to another channel and I hear Republicans that want to go back to the way things were so they can steal more money and dig an even deeper economic hole. I shake my head and sigh. Has everyone forgotten the last nine months of devastation? Just because President Obama has started to turn things around doesn't mean we can go back to the way things were. Change is needed. Permanent change to prevent further problems. Social security needs to be protected. The elderly and children need to be protected. The standards of education must be lifted up to compete with the best education you can receive anywhere in the world. People must be held accountable. Businesses must be held accountable and not allowed to charge a zillion times the price of a product just to take advantage and pad their bank account. Just because they have gotten away with it in the past, doesn't mean it's okay. It's not okay. The quality of life in our country must be raised and protected. We need to invest in people. We need to make sure that preventions are in place and secure so that everyone has a chance to dream and have a better life. No one should worry about being homeless or going hungry. No one should worry about health care or illness.
Oprah is a shining star on television who has the courage to make a difference and speak out on issues important to all of us and to help people. She has sacrificed so much to be a great leader. I admire her and love her.
Jane Yolen
I recently purchased at the Alsea Library a copy of Wizard's Hall by Jane Yolen for 25 cents. I've always respected and admired the great writing of Jane Yolen who has written over 100 children's books. She's won numerous writing awards. I've never seen Wizard's Hall or read it. I was shocked at the cover and was astounded after reading the first few pages to see a similiarity between J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter series and the Wizard's Hall. So I quickly look up the publishing date to see which book date came first. Wizard's Hall was published in 1991. The first Harry Potter book was published in 1997.
Pick up a copy of Wizard's Hall and see what you think. I think it's the pre-Harry Potter book.
Pick up a copy of Wizard's Hall and see what you think. I think it's the pre-Harry Potter book.
Libby, Montana
Libby, Montana has been in the news. I was born in Libby on February 25, 1948. I lived there until the end of my third grade year and then we moved to Salem, Oregon where I have lived for most of my life.
Libby has been declared a federal emergency asbestos disaster area. I remember playing in the sparkling stuff that glittered in the sun as I threw it up in the air. My mother used it for crafts because it sparkled.
I've heard since moving to Alsea that Libby was called the Valley of Death by Native Americans.
People are dying in Libby after being exposed over the years. It's not the best place to locate a resort or spa. However, it is beautiful with spectacular scenery.
Libby has been declared a federal emergency asbestos disaster area. I remember playing in the sparkling stuff that glittered in the sun as I threw it up in the air. My mother used it for crafts because it sparkled.
I've heard since moving to Alsea that Libby was called the Valley of Death by Native Americans.
People are dying in Libby after being exposed over the years. It's not the best place to locate a resort or spa. However, it is beautiful with spectacular scenery.
The Politics of Health Care
Is health care the same for everyone? NO! The rich receive the best care. If you question, have a mouth, or offend people in power, then health care becomes difficult. I need to find a doctor who cares about me, who wants to help me, who communicates clearly, and who is my health advocate. Oprah's health advocate is Dr. Michael Roizen at the Cleveland Clinic. I need someone too.
I've been going to OHSU the last few months. There are some great people who care and there are some who succumb to political pressure and others who care more about making sure the money keeps rolling in. Not all doctors communicate clearly. Not all doctors know the answers. Not all doctors and medical professionals are created equal. It's sad that today you have to be your own expert and can't trust. For $150, if you don't have health insurance, you can receive 6 months of care at OHSU so that's what I have been doing. I was told by one doctor at OHSU that "they have done enough." I still don't have some health issues addressed and I don't feel comfortable going back. One doctor asked me if my stomach hurt and seemed to think there was something major wrong but it was never checked out. Not all doctors communicate or make things clear. There are a lot nice people at OHSU and there are many smart, competent people at OHSU but it's a long drive to not receive the help I need and to receive conflicting opinions, and to receive some care that is questionable. I'm not going back. In my honest opinion, I feel I could receive better care in the European Union, Canada, or New Zealand where people are valued and the emphasis is on helping the patient and not concern about cost of care or what was said in a blog or in an article.
I've been going to OHSU the last few months. There are some great people who care and there are some who succumb to political pressure and others who care more about making sure the money keeps rolling in. Not all doctors communicate clearly. Not all doctors know the answers. Not all doctors and medical professionals are created equal. It's sad that today you have to be your own expert and can't trust. For $150, if you don't have health insurance, you can receive 6 months of care at OHSU so that's what I have been doing. I was told by one doctor at OHSU that "they have done enough." I still don't have some health issues addressed and I don't feel comfortable going back. One doctor asked me if my stomach hurt and seemed to think there was something major wrong but it was never checked out. Not all doctors communicate or make things clear. There are a lot nice people at OHSU and there are many smart, competent people at OHSU but it's a long drive to not receive the help I need and to receive conflicting opinions, and to receive some care that is questionable. I'm not going back. In my honest opinion, I feel I could receive better care in the European Union, Canada, or New Zealand where people are valued and the emphasis is on helping the patient and not concern about cost of care or what was said in a blog or in an article.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Health Care
47 million people in the United States of America are without health care and health insurance. This is outrageous. The strong Republican voices that oppose free health care are those wanting to protect their bank account. They sure don't care about people and what is happening in this country. This needs to change. We need to start to value human life again and the potential of all human beings in the United States. We need to move forward and work hard to build a bright future of hope and strength.
A very basic and necessary ingredient in building a bright future of hope is to provide FREE health care to all Americans. The greed of old cannot happen again. We must move forward in this country and put measures in place so that all Americans can dream again. When you have medical problems and no one to help you, it's hard to work on more creative work. When no one is there for you to help you when you desperately need help, you lose hope. The potential of all human beings who are not given basic care is lost. We cannot afford this tragic loss because we have so many bright and talented people living in this country.
With 47 MILLION Americans without health care, we need to stop listening to the greedy voices of the rich and the Republican conservatives and do something about it by giving FREE HEALTH CARE to ALL.
A very basic and necessary ingredient in building a bright future of hope is to provide FREE health care to all Americans. The greed of old cannot happen again. We must move forward in this country and put measures in place so that all Americans can dream again. When you have medical problems and no one to help you, it's hard to work on more creative work. When no one is there for you to help you when you desperately need help, you lose hope. The potential of all human beings who are not given basic care is lost. We cannot afford this tragic loss because we have so many bright and talented people living in this country.
With 47 MILLION Americans without health care, we need to stop listening to the greedy voices of the rich and the Republican conservatives and do something about it by giving FREE HEALTH CARE to ALL.
President Barack Obama
I got the July, 2009 issue of Harper's in the mail. My husband subscribes to it and I love reading it. The cover story is an essay by Kevin Baker, "Barack Hoover Obama: The Best and the Brightest Blow It Again" on page 29. I haven't finished reading it yet. It's all about President Herbert Hoover. I have never fully appreciated President Hoover and all his accomplishments in office so I will enjoy reading it. My shock is at the willingness to give up so easily on President Obama, the hope of the United States. We are only a few months into his Presidency. Kevin Baker says, "At home or abroad, he invariably appears to be the only adult in the room, the first American president in at least forty years to convey any gravitas." And then Mr. Baker says, "It is impossible not to wish desperately for his success as he tries to grapple with all that confronts him: a worldwide depression, catastrophic climate change, an unjust and inadequate health-care system, wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, the ongoing disgrace of Guantanamo, a floundering education system." And then Kevin Baker in paragraph three predicts President Obama's failure. How can this be?
If President Obama is making any mistake at all, it is that he is too nice and trying to be everything to every American. He is brilliant and is capable of being the greatest President in the history of the United States, IF he does what needs to be done to turn this country around instead of looking for permission. The Republican Party has devastated the United States of America in every area of importance. President Obama was elected to bring change. Like Nike says, JUST DO IT!
We need free health care for all Americans because it's about time that we value and protect life and the potential of all Americans. We need free college and free university education for anyone wanting to put in the time and the work to learn so that we focus on the future and building our resources. We need to protect the elderly by protecting Social Security, the only proven retirement. If the Republicans get back into power and get their greedy little hands on Social Security, they will steal the money and the elderly will be out on the street without protection. We need to stop the loop holes for the rich so they can't take their money outside of the country without penalty and so they have to pay their fair share of taxes. If you do business in the United States of America, you should pay your fair share of taxes to protect our future and the potential of all Americans. We need to protect children and quit coddling criminals. What's this about that scum bag who raped a five year old little girl and gets a year in prison? Outrageous! That judge should be disbarred or at the very least put on probation and have his record under a microscope to see how many criminals he has allowed to walk. There needs to be medical and financial audits to uncover the crooks, criminals, and crimes that have distorted and destroyed our way of life. It's not okay to put outrageous prices on everything just so a few have a summer home in the Hamptons, 12 mansions, and can do whatever they want, whenever they want. It's not okay to operate this way, the Republican way, after destroying the future in the United States. We need to protect wildlife, the environment, clean water, and clean air. The Republicans have done everything they could to destroy wildlife, the environment and make sure that there is not one drop of clean water or one molecule of clean air so measures need to be put into place to protect our planet so that NEVER again can anyone do this kind of damage.
Kevin Baker, I disagree. President Obama isn't a failure. He will rise to fix all problems. He has done an absolutely remarkable job so far with everyone criticizing his every move, even though he moves flawlessly. President Obama isn't done. It's not over till it's over. Start by supporting President Obama. Change is needed. President Obama was elected to give hope to all Americans and to bring change. He will do it.
If President Obama is making any mistake at all, it is that he is too nice and trying to be everything to every American. He is brilliant and is capable of being the greatest President in the history of the United States, IF he does what needs to be done to turn this country around instead of looking for permission. The Republican Party has devastated the United States of America in every area of importance. President Obama was elected to bring change. Like Nike says, JUST DO IT!
We need free health care for all Americans because it's about time that we value and protect life and the potential of all Americans. We need free college and free university education for anyone wanting to put in the time and the work to learn so that we focus on the future and building our resources. We need to protect the elderly by protecting Social Security, the only proven retirement. If the Republicans get back into power and get their greedy little hands on Social Security, they will steal the money and the elderly will be out on the street without protection. We need to stop the loop holes for the rich so they can't take their money outside of the country without penalty and so they have to pay their fair share of taxes. If you do business in the United States of America, you should pay your fair share of taxes to protect our future and the potential of all Americans. We need to protect children and quit coddling criminals. What's this about that scum bag who raped a five year old little girl and gets a year in prison? Outrageous! That judge should be disbarred or at the very least put on probation and have his record under a microscope to see how many criminals he has allowed to walk. There needs to be medical and financial audits to uncover the crooks, criminals, and crimes that have distorted and destroyed our way of life. It's not okay to put outrageous prices on everything just so a few have a summer home in the Hamptons, 12 mansions, and can do whatever they want, whenever they want. It's not okay to operate this way, the Republican way, after destroying the future in the United States. We need to protect wildlife, the environment, clean water, and clean air. The Republicans have done everything they could to destroy wildlife, the environment and make sure that there is not one drop of clean water or one molecule of clean air so measures need to be put into place to protect our planet so that NEVER again can anyone do this kind of damage.
Kevin Baker, I disagree. President Obama isn't a failure. He will rise to fix all problems. He has done an absolutely remarkable job so far with everyone criticizing his every move, even though he moves flawlessly. President Obama isn't done. It's not over till it's over. Start by supporting President Obama. Change is needed. President Obama was elected to give hope to all Americans and to bring change. He will do it.
Tuesday, June 09, 2009
Creativity Coach
If you're a writer and you want a great creativity coach, contact Michael Michnya at mamichnya@comcast.net. For the last few weeks, Michael has been my creativity coach with insightful questions to zero in on my schedule, productivity, and writing. I appreciate his help and because of his encouragement and insight, I was able to finish my screenplay in April, and I've been sending out my work in June.
I signed up for a free creativity coach with Eric Maisel, who trains creativity coaches. www.ericmaisel.com As creativity coaches are in training, they offer free service to writers and artists. I was happy to be selected and I sure appreciate the help. It would be fun to go through the training and be a creativity coach but that has to stay on the back burner until I get a soft cushion in my bank account and all medical bills are paid off.
I signed up for a free creativity coach with Eric Maisel, who trains creativity coaches. www.ericmaisel.com As creativity coaches are in training, they offer free service to writers and artists. I was happy to be selected and I sure appreciate the help. It would be fun to go through the training and be a creativity coach but that has to stay on the back burner until I get a soft cushion in my bank account and all medical bills are paid off.
Leslie
My husband, Leslie went to see Dr. Wahba yesterday. Dr. Wahba has taken great care of him. I appreciate his phone calls to my husband to communicate. He has monitored Les with blood tests and doctor visits. Yesterday he said that if doctors at OHSU can't figure out what's wrong, Les will be referred to the Mayo Clinic or John Hopkins. I sure hope that someone can figure out what's wrong so Les doesn't have to go through another bout in the hospital.
Les seems fine now but when no one knows what landed him in the hospital before, it's hard to know how to prevent him having problems again.
Les seems fine now but when no one knows what landed him in the hospital before, it's hard to know how to prevent him having problems again.
Wednesday, June 03, 2009
my novel
I have submitted my novel that I wrote in November for National Novel Writing Month to the self publishing website, Create Space. I have been working on my novel for months revising it. It's not perfect but I was given the opportunity to get a copy of my book free at the Amazon.com website Create Space so I thought I'd do it. I finished it on time by the deadline on June 1. I have the opportunity to publish with Amazon.com, which is a great idea since they are great at marketing. It eliminates my frustrating attempt at standing on my tippy toes waving my hand trying to get noticed and wanted by a book publisher and agent. It allows me to just write and then write more.
I'm going to revise my novel before publishing though. It needs lots of work still. I also want to change my book cover again. I've also decided I need my characters to go to a Pink Martini Concert at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall in Portland. Ideas keep coming so it isn't over or finished until it is finished. My book will probably never be perfect because I'm not perfect. I always see ways to make it better and there are always better ideas and better ways to say things but I have decided to try and get myself out there to live my dreams. My first book is just the beginning. If I keep trying and writing books, my tenth book has to be an improvement. I'm going to publish with Amazon.com this year in 2009!
I'm going to revise my novel before publishing though. It needs lots of work still. I also want to change my book cover again. I've also decided I need my characters to go to a Pink Martini Concert at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall in Portland. Ideas keep coming so it isn't over or finished until it is finished. My book will probably never be perfect because I'm not perfect. I always see ways to make it better and there are always better ideas and better ways to say things but I have decided to try and get myself out there to live my dreams. My first book is just the beginning. If I keep trying and writing books, my tenth book has to be an improvement. I'm going to publish with Amazon.com this year in 2009!
Arizona
Yesterday I talked to a woman who has lived in Arizona when I went to OHSU. She gave me new insight into the summers of Arizona, which I appreciate. She said that summers in Arizona are their winter as they stay inside with the air conditioning but I ask what happens when the power fails? I don't think it's too good. I don't think I'd enjoy 120 degrees without air conditioning.
When I flew over Arizona on my last trip to Ohio to see my son, Daniel, I saw nothing for miles. I didn't see desert sand. I saw endless miles of medium brown barren hills and mountains that looked as if they had been scraped clean of all vegetation. I also thought at the time that it looked like someone had taken brown construction paper crumpled it up and stuck it there for mountains.
I know a lot of people appreciate Arizona. I'm sure it's fine in winter.
When I flew over Arizona on my last trip to Ohio to see my son, Daniel, I saw nothing for miles. I didn't see desert sand. I saw endless miles of medium brown barren hills and mountains that looked as if they had been scraped clean of all vegetation. I also thought at the time that it looked like someone had taken brown construction paper crumpled it up and stuck it there for mountains.
I know a lot of people appreciate Arizona. I'm sure it's fine in winter.
My Garden
I am having so much fun out in my garden lately. I love seeing the daily changes, new flowers, finding weeds that need to be pulled, seeing the butterflies and dragonflies that dart about admidst the singing of all the birds in our yard that come to our feeders.
I now have six raised beds finished and plan on more. You don't have to reinvent your garden every year and start from scratch with raised beds. It's there. You just plant and add more compost.
I wish the weather would stay at 60 degrees though all year long, every day and never change. I don't like hot weather. I think rain should come only at night when you're sleeping. Severe weather can be a hardship and threatening to life. I'm glad we live in a mild climate.
I now have six raised beds finished and plan on more. You don't have to reinvent your garden every year and start from scratch with raised beds. It's there. You just plant and add more compost.
I wish the weather would stay at 60 degrees though all year long, every day and never change. I don't like hot weather. I think rain should come only at night when you're sleeping. Severe weather can be a hardship and threatening to life. I'm glad we live in a mild climate.
Books
Yesterday I went to the Alsea Public Library and bought some of the books for 25 cents and 50 cents. I came home with $8. worth and then went back for $3. more. I got some great books.
Yesterday I read a little book by Garrison Keillor called Truckstop and Other Lake Wobegon Stories. I've always loved Garrison Keillor. At rare moments I catch his A Prairie Home Companion on public radio. (We don't get great radio at my house and I don't have a good radio so I listen to radio in my car.) The humor and the charm of his stories about the people of Minnesota have always made me laugh and smile. In this book that I read yesterday, I loved the last story especially called Homecoming, which tells about digging up a septic tank that turns out to be an old Chevy car.
Now I am halfway through reading So Many Books, So Little Time: A year of Passionate Reading by Sara Nelson. I love her too since she also loves Nora Ephron and Philip Roth. Sara Nelson makes me want to make my own reading challenge. Sara has reminded me that the BEST friends are books.
At first I was thinking of reading a book a day since I am pretty competitive and want to do more and better but I wonder if I can really live up to that realistically. My Dad used to read a book a day. He read a western book every night and then read the Bible. He read the Bible 8 to 10 times all the way through every year. I guess my personal reading challenge depends on whether or not I finish this book today. I figure I can always read children's books since I am also a writer for children and I need to read books for children. I think two books a week is more realistic but I'd like to try for a book a day. Will I make it?
Yesterday I read a little book by Garrison Keillor called Truckstop and Other Lake Wobegon Stories. I've always loved Garrison Keillor. At rare moments I catch his A Prairie Home Companion on public radio. (We don't get great radio at my house and I don't have a good radio so I listen to radio in my car.) The humor and the charm of his stories about the people of Minnesota have always made me laugh and smile. In this book that I read yesterday, I loved the last story especially called Homecoming, which tells about digging up a septic tank that turns out to be an old Chevy car.
Now I am halfway through reading So Many Books, So Little Time: A year of Passionate Reading by Sara Nelson. I love her too since she also loves Nora Ephron and Philip Roth. Sara Nelson makes me want to make my own reading challenge. Sara has reminded me that the BEST friends are books.
At first I was thinking of reading a book a day since I am pretty competitive and want to do more and better but I wonder if I can really live up to that realistically. My Dad used to read a book a day. He read a western book every night and then read the Bible. He read the Bible 8 to 10 times all the way through every year. I guess my personal reading challenge depends on whether or not I finish this book today. I figure I can always read children's books since I am also a writer for children and I need to read books for children. I think two books a week is more realistic but I'd like to try for a book a day. Will I make it?
Pink Martini
I LOVE Pink Martini and was sad that I couldn't afford to go up to Portland to see them at the recent concert at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. I asked my husband to go and buy a CD for our son, Joe, since his birthday is coming up on the 19th. I know he will love them, as I do. Joe writes music. In one six month period, he wrote over 24 songs. He's also a great performer on stage acting or singing so I knew he would appreciate the music excellence. When my husband called on his cell to ask which one to get out of those at Fred Meyer in Corvallis, I said the new one, Live in Concert. I decided that since I didn't get to go to the concert, I wanted one too. I didn't expect to find a DVD instead of a CD. Since we rarely buy CD's or DVD's, I first tried it out in CD players throughout the house thinking it was blank. When I found out it was a DVD and watched their incredible performance live at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, tears streamed down my face for I was there and now I can be there each time I watch.
It's wonderful to see the faces behind the music and see them perform. Their passionate music attracts people all over the world. Trained as classical musicians, their music reaches the highest excellence. I love them. I wish I could travel with the band. It would be fun to meet them.
It would be fun to live in Portland or another large city, IF I could afford it because then I could see Pink Martini, visit the zoo, the art museum and galleries, the science museums, see live theater and Broadway plays. This year Neal Simon plays are being performed in Portland and I have missed out seeing them too.
Buy a Pink Martini CD or DVD the next time you're at the music section at the store.
www.pinkmartini.com
It's wonderful to see the faces behind the music and see them perform. Their passionate music attracts people all over the world. Trained as classical musicians, their music reaches the highest excellence. I love them. I wish I could travel with the band. It would be fun to meet them.
It would be fun to live in Portland or another large city, IF I could afford it because then I could see Pink Martini, visit the zoo, the art museum and galleries, the science museums, see live theater and Broadway plays. This year Neal Simon plays are being performed in Portland and I have missed out seeing them too.
Buy a Pink Martini CD or DVD the next time you're at the music section at the store.
www.pinkmartini.com
Sunday, May 31, 2009
JTV
Jewelry Television is one of my favorite channels to watch to learn about gemstones. I wish I could afford to buy some of the great bargains in gemstones I am seeing. There are great bargains right now and if you have money take a look at
www.jtv.com to see them.
I wish I knew how to create my own jewelry so that I could make a custom setting for some of the beautiful gem stones that I see at bargain prices. You can buy settings at great prices but it would be fun to create my own.
Call 1-800-619-3000 to buy a ring or necklace to make your heart sing that you will be proud to wear and feel beautiful.
www.jtv.com to see them.
I wish I knew how to create my own jewelry so that I could make a custom setting for some of the beautiful gem stones that I see at bargain prices. You can buy settings at great prices but it would be fun to create my own.
Call 1-800-619-3000 to buy a ring or necklace to make your heart sing that you will be proud to wear and feel beautiful.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Keep the Faith
I just watched a great movie this afternoon, KEEP THE FAITH starring Ben Stiller (one of my favorite actors), Eli Wallach, Edward Norton, Jenna Elfman, Anne Bancroft, Ron Rifkin and others. Ben Stiller as the Rabbi says to his congregation, "God wants you to watch out for each other." I think that's true.
I know a great Rabbi in Corvallis, Oregon--Rabbi Benjamin Barnett. He was very kind to give an hour of his time to talk to my husband and I when my husband was very sick at Good Samaritan Hospital. He's a good man, a kind man, a wise man.
I know a great Rabbi in Corvallis, Oregon--Rabbi Benjamin Barnett. He was very kind to give an hour of his time to talk to my husband and I when my husband was very sick at Good Samaritan Hospital. He's a good man, a kind man, a wise man.
Religious Manipulation
This morning in the Corvallis Gazette Times on page B7 is a piece titled "Methodists launch 'rethink' and campaign." Next to this is the one titled, "Gay marriage backers trumpet the Mormon Church's work against it." Oh, good grief! The article about the Methodists say they are launching a new marketing campaign to get you to want to be a Methodist. They are going to spend 20 million bucks on the effort. In the next paragraph, it talks about the Evangelical Lutheran Church who has invested nearly 1.2 million bucks over the last two years in their marketing efforts. Good grief, I say. These churches are nonprofits and they are spending millions on media campaigns to get you convinced that they are the best one.
I grew up as a Lutheran and I've thought about going back but then I remember how Martin Luther was anti-Semitic and how I've talked to three different Lutheran churches in Corvallis giving them my resume and information about me trying to get them interested in me. It's like if I don't conform with some magical arbitrary something or other, they aren't interested in me so I have to wonder if they are the place I want to go anyway. I guess it is memories and nostalgia that makes me want to return.
I've thought about the Methodist church and I would feel comfortable there but is it the same thing only cloaked in different Sunday robes?
I don't like the idea that these churches are spending millions on a media blitz for marketing. This tells me something.
The article about gay marriage and Mormons and California's prop 8 says a lot too. Are people really NICE people who try to manipulate? I think not.
Religion is about the individual and trying to become a better person day by day. People can't help it where they were born. People can't help it if they were born gay or if they were born with a different skin color. If you believe in God, then I think that it is logical that God made everyone and loves everyone and wants everyone to win and wants everyone to be the best they can be. My big gripe with religion is that it seems like religious leaders want you to obey without question, not think, not figure things out. If you become like everyone else and not be an individual with your own unique gifts and talents, then what is the point? Sometimes it seems like religions want you to follow in lock step like mindless robots.
I enjoy listening to Joel Osteen on television who smiles and acts like he enjoys being a minister, unlike many ministers who are so serious and look like church is the last place they want to be. Joel Osteen encourages people to work hard to be the best they can be and to develop their talents. That's good.
If I were born in India, I would grow up in a different religion than if I were born in China. If there is a God and sometimes I really wonder considering how religious leaders and religious people act, I think God just wants us to be kind to one another and look out for one another. I think individual differences are precious and important. I think it's wonderful to be around people from different backgrounds and people who have different opinions because it helps me to grow and learn. I don't have answers but I'm a better person than I was five years ago. Isn't that what life is about? We aren't here on earth to tell someone else how to live or to say that someone else's way is wrong. We are here to learn and understand each other, to get along, to be kind, to be tolerant, to help one another.
I feel comfortable around Jews although their service is foreign to me because I didn't grow up in it. What about the Jesus question, you ask? Jesus was a good Jewish boy who questioned and wanted everyone to get along. I'd like to study kaballah.
When the Catholic church forces women to become pregnant without birth control in order to be a good Catholic, I ask what about all the children who are born into homes where they aren't wanted and where the family can't afford them. Is an abortion really bad when you consider the consequences of birth into a family of abuse or a drug addict mother or an alcoholic abusive father or neglect or severe poverty? What are the economic consequences of all the unwanted children who grow up without love and sometimes find a life of crime and violence? Until the Catholic church says they will finacially shoulder the economic burden of all the unwanted children, I think they should mind their own business and not frown on birth control.
Does a religious leader have the right to question the heart of anyone, especially when the religious leader has the problem with anger and doesn't even have his/her own house in order?
Religious people should be concerned with themselves and with their own behavior. Religion is about the individual and perfecting self, not about getting everyone to agree that their way is best.
Churches think they have all the answers but every time church leaders speak out in anger, it tells me they are trying to manipulate and they sure don't have a different line to God. I've known atheists who are more ethical than religious leaders. Everyone has a right to an opinion and the right to be treated with respect. People should be concerned with themselves and not trying to force other people to think like themselves.
I heard an Episcopal priest on television say that you can be spiritual in three ways--through ritual, meditation and prayer, and by spending time in nature.
Until more answers come, I'm going to continue spending lots of time on my 3.65 acres and continue to try to be the best person I can be when I come in contact with people. I think it's important to continually learn and grow. Maybe some day I'll have more answers than questions. Right now I have more questions.
I grew up as a Lutheran and I've thought about going back but then I remember how Martin Luther was anti-Semitic and how I've talked to three different Lutheran churches in Corvallis giving them my resume and information about me trying to get them interested in me. It's like if I don't conform with some magical arbitrary something or other, they aren't interested in me so I have to wonder if they are the place I want to go anyway. I guess it is memories and nostalgia that makes me want to return.
I've thought about the Methodist church and I would feel comfortable there but is it the same thing only cloaked in different Sunday robes?
I don't like the idea that these churches are spending millions on a media blitz for marketing. This tells me something.
The article about gay marriage and Mormons and California's prop 8 says a lot too. Are people really NICE people who try to manipulate? I think not.
Religion is about the individual and trying to become a better person day by day. People can't help it where they were born. People can't help it if they were born gay or if they were born with a different skin color. If you believe in God, then I think that it is logical that God made everyone and loves everyone and wants everyone to win and wants everyone to be the best they can be. My big gripe with religion is that it seems like religious leaders want you to obey without question, not think, not figure things out. If you become like everyone else and not be an individual with your own unique gifts and talents, then what is the point? Sometimes it seems like religions want you to follow in lock step like mindless robots.
I enjoy listening to Joel Osteen on television who smiles and acts like he enjoys being a minister, unlike many ministers who are so serious and look like church is the last place they want to be. Joel Osteen encourages people to work hard to be the best they can be and to develop their talents. That's good.
If I were born in India, I would grow up in a different religion than if I were born in China. If there is a God and sometimes I really wonder considering how religious leaders and religious people act, I think God just wants us to be kind to one another and look out for one another. I think individual differences are precious and important. I think it's wonderful to be around people from different backgrounds and people who have different opinions because it helps me to grow and learn. I don't have answers but I'm a better person than I was five years ago. Isn't that what life is about? We aren't here on earth to tell someone else how to live or to say that someone else's way is wrong. We are here to learn and understand each other, to get along, to be kind, to be tolerant, to help one another.
I feel comfortable around Jews although their service is foreign to me because I didn't grow up in it. What about the Jesus question, you ask? Jesus was a good Jewish boy who questioned and wanted everyone to get along. I'd like to study kaballah.
When the Catholic church forces women to become pregnant without birth control in order to be a good Catholic, I ask what about all the children who are born into homes where they aren't wanted and where the family can't afford them. Is an abortion really bad when you consider the consequences of birth into a family of abuse or a drug addict mother or an alcoholic abusive father or neglect or severe poverty? What are the economic consequences of all the unwanted children who grow up without love and sometimes find a life of crime and violence? Until the Catholic church says they will finacially shoulder the economic burden of all the unwanted children, I think they should mind their own business and not frown on birth control.
Does a religious leader have the right to question the heart of anyone, especially when the religious leader has the problem with anger and doesn't even have his/her own house in order?
Religious people should be concerned with themselves and with their own behavior. Religion is about the individual and perfecting self, not about getting everyone to agree that their way is best.
Churches think they have all the answers but every time church leaders speak out in anger, it tells me they are trying to manipulate and they sure don't have a different line to God. I've known atheists who are more ethical than religious leaders. Everyone has a right to an opinion and the right to be treated with respect. People should be concerned with themselves and not trying to force other people to think like themselves.
I heard an Episcopal priest on television say that you can be spiritual in three ways--through ritual, meditation and prayer, and by spending time in nature.
Until more answers come, I'm going to continue spending lots of time on my 3.65 acres and continue to try to be the best person I can be when I come in contact with people. I think it's important to continually learn and grow. Maybe some day I'll have more answers than questions. Right now I have more questions.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Tale of Despereaux
I love the animated film, the Tale of Despereaux. I first saw it on Amtrak traveling from Seattle to Albany but didn't get to catch the ending so I watched it on Pay-Per-View on Direct TV because it is outstanding.
I knew I would love the movie with the words at the beginning that said,
"Once upon a time, there was a brave little mouse who loved honor and justice, and always told the truth."
It's an outstanding film and is worth watching over and over, even if you are as old as me. I love the writing, the animation, the characters, and the story that makes you think.
It's a story about a mouse hero named Despereaux in the Kingdom of Dor. Despereaux "heard more, saw more and smelled more than any of the other mice." Everyone was concerned that Despereaux didn't scurry or cower but instead was fearless and brave.
If you listen carefully to the script, you hear words like....
"A hero doesn't appear until the world really needs one."
"What happens when you make something illegal that is a natural part of the world? You might as well make flies illegal or sweat or Monday morning."
This outstanding animated movie has an all star cast with names like Dustin Hoffman, Kevin Kline, Christopher Lloyd, Tracy Ullman, Sigourney Weaver, Charles Shaughnessy, Matthew Broderick and others.
I knew I would love the movie with the words at the beginning that said,
"Once upon a time, there was a brave little mouse who loved honor and justice, and always told the truth."
It's an outstanding film and is worth watching over and over, even if you are as old as me. I love the writing, the animation, the characters, and the story that makes you think.
It's a story about a mouse hero named Despereaux in the Kingdom of Dor. Despereaux "heard more, saw more and smelled more than any of the other mice." Everyone was concerned that Despereaux didn't scurry or cower but instead was fearless and brave.
If you listen carefully to the script, you hear words like....
"A hero doesn't appear until the world really needs one."
"What happens when you make something illegal that is a natural part of the world? You might as well make flies illegal or sweat or Monday morning."
This outstanding animated movie has an all star cast with names like Dustin Hoffman, Kevin Kline, Christopher Lloyd, Tracy Ullman, Sigourney Weaver, Charles Shaughnessy, Matthew Broderick and others.
2009 Scripps National Spelling Bee
Last night I watched the 2009 Scripps National Spelling Bee on ABC. It's a celebration of excellence. Out of the 11 kids who were the top spellers in the nation, two were white, one Asian, one African-American and the rest were of Indian descent. All of these young people are outstanding and have worked hard.
The top three spellers were
Kavya Shivashankar from Kansas, age 13
Tim Ruiter from Virginia, age 12
Aishwarya Pastapur from Illinois, age 13
The championship words were
reredos
antonomasia
bouquiniste
oriflamme
guayabera
isagoge
sophrosyne
menhir--This word took out Aishwarya from Illinois.
phoresymaecenas--This word took out Tim from Virginia.
laodicean--This is the winning word that made Kavya Shivashankar from Kansas the winner of the 2009 National Spelling Bee.
Congratulations, Kavya. You are amazing, outstanding, and I was thrilled to watch you win.
As I watched the spelling bee for the second time that is saved on my tivo, I thought about all the schools who don't participate in the National Spelling Bee and who don't care about this great competition that celebrates excellence. It tells a lot about a school who doesn't care to participate and encourage their students to participate.
Kavya's father was her coach. Tim's coach was his mother who homeschools him. I saw the oustanding parents of all eleven young people who work hard to help their children become all they can be. Each of the parents is an outstanding example of what all parents should be and how parents should help their children learn. Parents are the first teachers and the most important teachers of their child. It is the parents responsibility to teach their children within the safety of the home to learn to become independent and successfully navigate in the world. These parents are outstanding examples of this as I'm sure all these children will go on to become contributing adults in any field of their choice.
The top three spellers were
Kavya Shivashankar from Kansas, age 13
Tim Ruiter from Virginia, age 12
Aishwarya Pastapur from Illinois, age 13
The championship words were
reredos
antonomasia
bouquiniste
oriflamme
guayabera
isagoge
sophrosyne
menhir--This word took out Aishwarya from Illinois.
phoresymaecenas--This word took out Tim from Virginia.
laodicean--This is the winning word that made Kavya Shivashankar from Kansas the winner of the 2009 National Spelling Bee.
Congratulations, Kavya. You are amazing, outstanding, and I was thrilled to watch you win.
As I watched the spelling bee for the second time that is saved on my tivo, I thought about all the schools who don't participate in the National Spelling Bee and who don't care about this great competition that celebrates excellence. It tells a lot about a school who doesn't care to participate and encourage their students to participate.
Kavya's father was her coach. Tim's coach was his mother who homeschools him. I saw the oustanding parents of all eleven young people who work hard to help their children become all they can be. Each of the parents is an outstanding example of what all parents should be and how parents should help their children learn. Parents are the first teachers and the most important teachers of their child. It is the parents responsibility to teach their children within the safety of the home to learn to become independent and successfully navigate in the world. These parents are outstanding examples of this as I'm sure all these children will go on to become contributing adults in any field of their choice.
Jack Bennett
On May 26th my husband and I drove to West Salem to see our grandson, Jack Bennett graduate from kindergarten at Myers Elementary School. We visited his classroom, met his teacher, Mrs. Brewster, and watched the wonderful ceremony. His classroom is full of bright colors and lots of posters to catch your eye to learn on every inch of the walls. It sure looks like a nice school and I had a great time. I loved the songs the children sang when they stood on the risers before receiving their diplomas. One song called "First Grade, First Grade" was sung to the tune of New York, New York. I couldn't hear the words because I was way in the back row in the gym but I knew it was great since I love this tune. I'm proud of Jack and I'm happy that he loves school and loves to read.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Binyons
I drove to Albany to pick up my new glasses from Binyons at the Heritage Mall today. I'm so happy with them. I love my new glasses. My titanium frames are so light weight and I love the round shape. I took advantage of the 1/2 price sale so I got both my bifocals and my single vision computer/music glasses. I'm very happy with them and appreciate Julie's help when I ordered them and picked them up.
www.ecca.com
www.ecca.com
Daniel Haber
My son, Daniel is at Ohio State University working on his MBA and works for Battelle. His team placed third out of 70 teams competing in an event at OSU sponsored by Deloit Business Plan Competition. Daniel's team won $12,000 and got invited to another competition.
I'm so proud of Daniel. He's an inspiration to me and one of my heroes.
See the article about this competition at
http://www.cob.ohio-state.edu/newsroom/headlines/index.php?folder=65&news=1307
I'm so proud of Daniel. He's an inspiration to me and one of my heroes.
See the article about this competition at
http://www.cob.ohio-state.edu/newsroom/headlines/index.php?folder=65&news=1307
Home Depot
My son, Daniel gave me a $75 gift card for Home Depot for Mother's Day so I could make some of my dreams come true for my garden. I've spent part of it and will be happy to pick out a few plants during my next visit. We bought lumber for raised beds. I've made three raised beds so far. The guy that helped my husband cut the boards gave us a great tip about making raised beds. He said to cover the boards in plastic to protect the wood. My three raised beds are 18 inches high and are 8 feet by 4 feet. I have strawberries planted in one. In the other two raised beds are 16 tomato plants. We have three more to build and I have big plans on adding more raised beds.
I appreciate the expert advise at Home Depot, the great selection, and good prices. I enjoy seeing the possibilities.
I appreciate the expert advise at Home Depot, the great selection, and good prices. I enjoy seeing the possibilities.
Stark Bro's
I received my order from Stark Brothers and I am so pleased with it. I planted two days ago an almond tree that I will be excited to watch grow. I planted three blackberry bushes that will have three inch berries. The plants are healthy and have sprouts. I also planted the free Asian lillies that I received with my order under my maple tree in the front yard. I planted the 24 strawberry plants in a raised bed that I made. The strawberries that will grow are giant strawberries so I can hardly wait. I love strawberries.
You can count on receiving healthy plants from Stark Bro's. The plants are guaranteed for life and you can find unusual plants and trees in this catalogue. I've ordered from them in the past and I have always been happy.
1-800-325-4180
www.starkbros.com
You can count on receiving healthy plants from Stark Bro's. The plants are guaranteed for life and you can find unusual plants and trees in this catalogue. I've ordered from them in the past and I have always been happy.
1-800-325-4180
www.starkbros.com
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Michael Liebling M.D.
My husband had an appointment at OHSU with Dr. Michael Liebling yesterday who specializes in arthritis and rheumatic diseases. I loved him instantly when I saw his brilliant mind at work. It was a joy and an honor to listen to him. I'm sure that his classes at OHSU are packed with students who would never want to miss a minute of his stories and insightful medical wisdom. He should be cloned to fill teaching hospitals all across this country. Rheumatology is a horizontal speciality that spills over into other medical disciplines and areas so Dr. Liebling at OHSU is the one that other doctors in Oregon come to when they can't figure out the answers. I have complete confidence in Dr. Liebling that he can solve the medical mystery with my husband. Oregon Health Sciences University is lucky to have Dr. Liebling. He's perfect.
Racial Prejudice in Alsea, Oregon
Yesterday on the front page of the Corvallis Gazette Times was an article about a hate crime in Alsea where I live. It was titled "'Reckless burning' shocks family." Summer MacLean who has a 13 year old adopted African American son found a five foot long charred cross in their front lawn. This is outrageous. Hate crimes can never be condoned or excused. No one should be treated like this. It is unacceptable and there should be zero tolerance for any hint of racial prejudice in every town across the United States.
Deputy Clay Stephens from the Benton County Sheriff Department is declaring this a reckless burning which makes light of it. This isn't okay and I'm deeply disappointed to hear that the Benton County Sheriff Department is not taking this seriously. Hate crimes can not be tolerated.
Alsea School Superintendent Jon St. Germaine says "...Alsea is a welcoming and caring community." I disagree. Alsea is a welcoming and caring community IF and ONLY IF you agree with the majority, act like the majority, think like the majority, and look like the majority. If you have different opinions that are not accepted, you are not welcomed and cared about. I was told in a bible study group when I first moved here that if you don't fall into line and agree with what is acceptable that you are driven out. That isn't Christ-like or charitable.
Anyone who participated in this or agrees with what happened or has feelings of racial prejudice in their heart should hang their heads with shame.
Deputy Clay Stephens from the Benton County Sheriff Department is declaring this a reckless burning which makes light of it. This isn't okay and I'm deeply disappointed to hear that the Benton County Sheriff Department is not taking this seriously. Hate crimes can not be tolerated.
Alsea School Superintendent Jon St. Germaine says "...Alsea is a welcoming and caring community." I disagree. Alsea is a welcoming and caring community IF and ONLY IF you agree with the majority, act like the majority, think like the majority, and look like the majority. If you have different opinions that are not accepted, you are not welcomed and cared about. I was told in a bible study group when I first moved here that if you don't fall into line and agree with what is acceptable that you are driven out. That isn't Christ-like or charitable.
Anyone who participated in this or agrees with what happened or has feelings of racial prejudice in their heart should hang their heads with shame.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
AFSC
When I was in my sophomore year of college at Oregon College of Education in 1967 and 1968, I went on workcamp projects with AFSC with other college students in the northwest. The American Friends Service Committee set up amazing projects in inner cities, mental hospitals, prisons, Indian reservations, and other areas to give college students knowledge and exposure to problems that we would not otherwise have or learn. I went to the Nooksack Indian Reservation in Washington, Dammasch State Hospital, Oregon State Hospital, Albina Arts Center in Portland, and a prison in Portland that I don't remember the name for some reason. I remember that the prison had women and I'll never forget seeing one woman's ear that was torn. Someone must have grabbed her earring and yanked. I remember on one mental hospital ward, one patient took another patient in an airplane spin just like in wrestling on television and threw him against the wall. I sure didn't feel safe at that moment. It opens your eyes to see the conditions of prisons, mental hospitals and other institutions within a safe setting. We had administrators talk to us about what we were seeing, the problems within the setting, and they answered our questions. It was eye opening.
5'4" or 5'6"
Am I 5'4" or 5'6"? When I was in high school, I was 5'6". The last time that I went to DMV, I told the guy that I thought I was shrinking as I am getting older. I asked him to measure me. He didn't but he left a surprise on my renewed drivers lisence. I didn't check it right away but when I looked I found out that he made me 5'4". Great. Thanks a lot. I am 5'6".
Saturday, May 09, 2009
Craig Robinson
Craig Robinson, Michele Obama's brother, is the coach of the basketball team for Oregon State University. My husband has had so much fun this last basketball season watching OSU on television and see them win a college championship. Craig Robinson, the new coach, took a team that has lost every game for years and won the championship this year. He did this without kicking off any members of the team. He took the team as it was, believed in them, worked with them, encouraged them, and taught them how to win. He's great.I also saw in the Corvallis Gazette Times that Craig Robinson spoke before Boy's and Girls Club and said that Boy's and Girl's Club has a winning philosophy. Craig Robinson is a great leader and he should be named First Citizen of Corvallis.
Seaweed
I added something new to my diet this week--seaweed. When I visited my son, his wife, and my newest granddaughter in Seattle last weekend, I learned about the power of seaweed in your diet. My daughter-in-law told me that her mother started eating seaweed at the suggestion of her doctor who practices alternative medicine. After eating seaweed after a period of weeks, a growth or cyst disappeared.
I believe strongly in healing your body with natural foods, rather than taking medication from a doctor. Eating healthy food and exercising heals your body and prevents disease.
So I went to the Asian Market at 1875 9th Street in Corvallis where I regularly buy tea and bitter melon. The store wasn't open yet but I had a nice conversation with a Chinese lady who told me about the benefits of eating onion. I regularly eat a lot of onion but she said that if you drop a whole, unpeeled yellow onion in chicken soup, it cleans the blood. Chicken soup boosts your immune system and if the onion peel helps to clean your blood, I'm doing it. I made chicken soup yesterday and I dropped a whole onion in the broth. It made the broth more flavorful and I felt better just knowing it was good for me.
When the store opened, I bought fresh seaweed and roasted seaweed that people use to roll up suishi or eat as a snack. The roasted seaweed is good as a snack and I'll eat it often. I haven't tried the fresh seaweed yet but I remember my mother buying seaweed tablets from the health food store so I know I will like it, even if it takes time to get used to it.
I believe strongly in healing your body with natural foods, rather than taking medication from a doctor. Eating healthy food and exercising heals your body and prevents disease.
So I went to the Asian Market at 1875 9th Street in Corvallis where I regularly buy tea and bitter melon. The store wasn't open yet but I had a nice conversation with a Chinese lady who told me about the benefits of eating onion. I regularly eat a lot of onion but she said that if you drop a whole, unpeeled yellow onion in chicken soup, it cleans the blood. Chicken soup boosts your immune system and if the onion peel helps to clean your blood, I'm doing it. I made chicken soup yesterday and I dropped a whole onion in the broth. It made the broth more flavorful and I felt better just knowing it was good for me.
When the store opened, I bought fresh seaweed and roasted seaweed that people use to roll up suishi or eat as a snack. The roasted seaweed is good as a snack and I'll eat it often. I haven't tried the fresh seaweed yet but I remember my mother buying seaweed tablets from the health food store so I know I will like it, even if it takes time to get used to it.
Manure
I got a great gift yesterday and the day before from Alsea Acre goat farm next door--three large truck loads of manure. It's the most I have ever received. I don't think anyone cares about manure as much as me. Why, you ask? I heard on a gardening show on television that it's important to put three inches of compost on your garden four times a year. Since I have over one acre to get into shape and put into garden, I need a lot of manure. I appreciate the great gift. Thank you, Nancy!
Friday, May 08, 2009
Linda Varsell Smith
Linda Varsell Smith read a poem during the monthly writing critique group last Tuesday for Corvallis Children's Writers. I woke up the next morning remembering the rhythm and cadence of the poem and started to create lines to one of my own. It was a poem about her mother, Honey. Linda's mother sounds a lot like Linda--encouraging, inventive, full of energy, gifted, and she enjoyed creating events to make others happy. Linda is the matriarch of writers in Corvallis who nurtures, encourages, teaches, and helps. Linda teaches life writing in Philomath at Peace Lutheran Church each term for LBCC.
I am in awe of her energy and genius. She prolifically turns out poems and is part of the Mary's Peak Poets. She probably started it. It meets in her home monthly.
Linda is Swedish and travels to Sweden often. I'm half Swedish so I enjoy hearing about Sweden from others.
I am in awe of her energy and genius. She prolifically turns out poems and is part of the Mary's Peak Poets. She probably started it. It meets in her home monthly.
Linda is Swedish and travels to Sweden often. I'm half Swedish so I enjoy hearing about Sweden from others.
U.S. Supreme Court
David H. Souter is retiring from the U.S. Supreme Court so President Obama will be picking the replacement. As a former law professor from the University of Chicago, President Obama is well-qualified to pick someone.
While I was in Seattle last weekend, I shook my head when I heard Senator Orin Hatch from Utah say that he was outraged that President Obama wants to pick someone who has compassion and empathy for women and minorities in the United States. I wasn't surprised that Senator Hatch said this. Utah is the home of Mormons where most of the population belongs to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I have had personal experience that their compassion and empathy only exists when reporters and television cameras are there to record their actions.
I'm confident that President Obama will pick the best person to sit on the U.S. Supreme Court. I'm grateful that President Obama cares about all people in this country and not just the richest Americans. All Americans need justice and all Americans need President Obama's leadership.
While I was in Seattle last weekend, I shook my head when I heard Senator Orin Hatch from Utah say that he was outraged that President Obama wants to pick someone who has compassion and empathy for women and minorities in the United States. I wasn't surprised that Senator Hatch said this. Utah is the home of Mormons where most of the population belongs to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I have had personal experience that their compassion and empathy only exists when reporters and television cameras are there to record their actions.
I'm confident that President Obama will pick the best person to sit on the U.S. Supreme Court. I'm grateful that President Obama cares about all people in this country and not just the richest Americans. All Americans need justice and all Americans need President Obama's leadership.
Monday, May 04, 2009
Green Lake
I love walking around Green Lake in Seattle. It's near my son's home. I never made it all the way around over the weekend. The first time I tried, I went out by myself and went one third of the way and it started to pour so I turned back. The next day, we all went out to see the turtles sitting on the log and went back because we weren't sure Les, my husband, could walk very far. It's amazing that my husband was well enough to walk that far and later to Wallingford for a cupcake.
The beauty surrounding Green Lake is spectacular and unequaled. I do not personally know of any walking trail that is nicer in any community. I wish I lived close so I could walk around Green Lake every day. I'd like to live right across the street. It's just beautiful and everyone who comes there is blessed to have this opportunity to exercise there.
Communities should be set up so you can walk to everything that's important to you--walk to exercise, shopping, restaurants, a library, and everything that you need so you don't have to drive except for special trips.
The beauty surrounding Green Lake is spectacular and unequaled. I do not personally know of any walking trail that is nicer in any community. I wish I lived close so I could walk around Green Lake every day. I'd like to live right across the street. It's just beautiful and everyone who comes there is blessed to have this opportunity to exercise there.
Communities should be set up so you can walk to everything that's important to you--walk to exercise, shopping, restaurants, a library, and everything that you need so you don't have to drive except for special trips.
Spuds in Alki
I love eating at Spuds on Alki Beach in Seattle. It has great fish and chips. It's so much fun to look at the bay and walk next to the water. It's one of my favorite places to visit when I'm in Seattle. There's a big sign on the wall that Spuds was the first fast food restaurant in Seattle and they are celebrating their 70th anniversary. When it first opened, you could buy fish and chips for only 10 cents. Such a deal!
Anna Rose
My husband and I got to see our newest granddaughter, Anna Rose in Seattle this weekend. She's growing fast. She's trying to crawl and talk. She goes everywhere with her parents and is so well behaved. She is calm and has a good disposition, just like my son, Benjamin when he was little. He was always good too. I love her so much. I love to hold her and just look at her. I came home with over 200 photos on my digital camera so I have them to enjoy every day now that I'm back in Oregon. I'm sure going to miss her. She is so cute, smart, loved, feels secure, happy, has wonderful parents, and everything she needs to grow and learn.
Amtrak
I love riding trains and was happy that my son sent my husband and I Amtrak tickets to visit Seattle for Mothers day and Fathers day. We had such a nice time. The seats are comfortable and if you sit on the water side, you see Puget Sound out your window around Tacoma and Olympia up to Seattle. It's gorgeous.
All staff on the train are courteous and respectful.
I've always loved trains. I remember when I was 4 or 5 years old, my Dad drove my me and my mom to Troy so we could ride the train to Libby--where I lived until the end of the 3rd grade. It was so much fun.
I picked up the 2009/2010 Amtrak Vacation Guide and the Amtrak System Timetable at the Albany Train Station. There are some amazing affordable vacations for families all over this country. You don't have to drive or spend the gas. You can sit back and enjoy the scenery this great country has to offer out the expansive windows. A trip to the Amtrak Cascades Car will delight anyone who's hungry. There are specialty sandwiches, salads, soups, drinks, and entrees that are delicious. I overheard two young students who were surprised and happy with the variety on the menu with all the great choices from Ivar's famous clam chowder to turkey sandwiches made with focaccia.
I had a great time. It's so much easier than dealing with traffic and weather driving up to Seattle. I can sit back and relax watching a great movie, read a book, or write. I sat across the isle from an attorney who was sitting with a student. It's smart to travel by train if you regularly travel from Portland, Seattle, or Eugene to Seattle for business. I know it's sure fun to travel by train to visit family.
Thank you Ben and Amanda for the great gift and fun!
www.amtrak.com
All staff on the train are courteous and respectful.
I've always loved trains. I remember when I was 4 or 5 years old, my Dad drove my me and my mom to Troy so we could ride the train to Libby--where I lived until the end of the 3rd grade. It was so much fun.
I picked up the 2009/2010 Amtrak Vacation Guide and the Amtrak System Timetable at the Albany Train Station. There are some amazing affordable vacations for families all over this country. You don't have to drive or spend the gas. You can sit back and enjoy the scenery this great country has to offer out the expansive windows. A trip to the Amtrak Cascades Car will delight anyone who's hungry. There are specialty sandwiches, salads, soups, drinks, and entrees that are delicious. I overheard two young students who were surprised and happy with the variety on the menu with all the great choices from Ivar's famous clam chowder to turkey sandwiches made with focaccia.
I had a great time. It's so much easier than dealing with traffic and weather driving up to Seattle. I can sit back and relax watching a great movie, read a book, or write. I sat across the isle from an attorney who was sitting with a student. It's smart to travel by train if you regularly travel from Portland, Seattle, or Eugene to Seattle for business. I know it's sure fun to travel by train to visit family.
Thank you Ben and Amanda for the great gift and fun!
www.amtrak.com
Portage Bay Cafe
My son, Benjamin and his wife Amanda took my husband and I out for breakfast on Saturday morning to Portage Bay Cafe in downtown Seattle for breakfast. All the food is organic and locally grown. There's a topping bar with fresh fruits, nuts, whipped cream, and organic maple syrup for the delicious pancakes or french toast made from challah. I ordered the all natural corned beef hash. It was amazing. Grilled organic vegetables with red onions, bell pepper, red potatoes, sweet potatoes, fresh herbs, and green onions were mixed with corn beef with a scrambled egg on top and organic whole wheat toast.
You can feel good about eating out at Portage Bay. You are spoiling your body with delicious healthy food and you are helping to support a restaurant that is making great choices to serve organic food that is locally grown.
You can feel good about eating out at Portage Bay. You are spoiling your body with delicious healthy food and you are helping to support a restaurant that is making great choices to serve organic food that is locally grown.
Seattle Tilth
I went to the big edible plant sale in Seattle with my son, his wife, my husband, and my new granddaughter. It was raining and crowded. There was such an amazing choice of healthy plants. There were plenty of happy, smiling volunteers to help guide, inform, and help. They said you can volunteer anytime, even for a day during the year. It would be fun to volunteer to help but I don't live in Seattle. It's a wonderful opportunity for anyone in the Seattle area.
My daughter-in-law, Amanda brought home many beautiful, healthy herbs and vegetable plants. My son, Benjamin lives within walking distance to where the sale is located so next year, they can bring a wagon like many who came.
Seattle Tilth teaches peace through gardening. They have a garden hot line to answer questions and provide materials. Call them at 206-633-0224 or e-mail help@gardenhotline.org. They have great classes for adults on how to grow your own food or raise chickens. The focus is on organic gardening and the urban environment. Such a deal for anyone in the Seattle area. On the front of their brochure, it says "cultivating a sustainable city, one garden at a time."
www.seattletilth.org
My daughter-in-law, Amanda brought home many beautiful, healthy herbs and vegetable plants. My son, Benjamin lives within walking distance to where the sale is located so next year, they can bring a wagon like many who came.
Seattle Tilth teaches peace through gardening. They have a garden hot line to answer questions and provide materials. Call them at 206-633-0224 or e-mail help@gardenhotline.org. They have great classes for adults on how to grow your own food or raise chickens. The focus is on organic gardening and the urban environment. Such a deal for anyone in the Seattle area. On the front of their brochure, it says "cultivating a sustainable city, one garden at a time."
www.seattletilth.org
Friday, May 01, 2009
Bread Squishing
I just finished packing up some turkey croissant sandwiches. My husband asked me to leave the sandwiches in the plastic case since he doesn't like his bread squished.
How in the world does a man who hates to have his bread squished end up with a woman who as a little girl used to take off the crust and squish up her Wonder bread slice, roll it up into a ball and eat it? I have no idea but we've been married for 37 years.
How in the world does a man who hates to have his bread squished end up with a woman who as a little girl used to take off the crust and squish up her Wonder bread slice, roll it up into a ball and eat it? I have no idea but we've been married for 37 years.
NCIS
I love watching NCIS. Gibs is my favorite. He is a strong moral compass who fights crime. Watch NCIS on CBS.
Seattle
I'm going to visit my perfect little granddaughter, Anna this weekend. She lives in Seattle with her perfect parents in Green Lake. My husband and I are going by Amtrak as a gift for Mother's day and Father's day.
James Patterson
I read the Midnight Club by James Patterson last year. I enjoy reading the fast pace of James Patterson's suspense novels. After thinking about this book, I can't help but find comparisons to what has happened over the last eight years and the people in high positions of power in business who feel no remorse for what they have done. It's common to hear CEO's who have been responsible for taking down our economy say that they have a right to the bonus money and they should not be held accountable.
I recommend that everyone read The Midnight Club, the tale about organized crime who decide to go legit and clean up their act. They decide it is beneficial to infiltrate large corporations and steal with the cloak of respectability.
I want to know why the law enforcement agencies are silent and not doing anything to stop it. Why do we keep throwing money at business who do not want to be held accountable and laugh in our face when we say they aren't playing fair? If anyone has the strength of character and intelligence to do something about it, it is the leadership of President Obama.
I recommend that everyone read The Midnight Club, the tale about organized crime who decide to go legit and clean up their act. They decide it is beneficial to infiltrate large corporations and steal with the cloak of respectability.
I want to know why the law enforcement agencies are silent and not doing anything to stop it. Why do we keep throwing money at business who do not want to be held accountable and laugh in our face when we say they aren't playing fair? If anyone has the strength of character and intelligence to do something about it, it is the leadership of President Obama.
Being Held Accountable
Being held accountable is an attitude that is shunned. Incompetence seems to rule. Micromanaging is a dirty word aka don't look too close or you'll see what I'm doing. If you gather dummies around you who are incompetent, it is easier to steal. Don't shine the light too close on what I'm doing. Don't make anyone look bad or call him on his stuff. The excuse that everyone makes mistakes is excusing way too many mistakes that cost. We all know what these attitudes have done to our country in the last eight years under Republicans who love money and stand for greed. What's amazing to me is that some people are shouting for more instead of being grateful that President Obama is in charge trying to turn things around for our country and for all Americans. First Lady, Michele Obama is setting a new course by saying, "It's cool to get A's."
Religuous
I watched Religulous, a movie made by Bill Maher. I've been wanting to watch it ever since I heard about it but I didn't see showings in the movie theater and there were only two showings on PPV on Direct TV. Two, not several showings a day for several weeks, like most of the movies. I thought this interesting.
Bill Maher says that faith means making a virtue out of not thinking and that those who preach faith are intellectual slave holders keeping mankind on bondage. I know that this is true in most religions because many churches believe you should blindly follow the direction of the minister who possesses all truth and wisdom. I know that most religions don't value or respect women.
Judaism, more than any other religion, believes in using your brain and finding solutions, in my opinion, although Bill Maher disagrees, the Jewish man with the mouth. I appreciate Bill Maher for pointing out things that most people don't have the courage to say. He has a right to his opinion. He has a right to a forum.
Bill Maher says at the end of his film that the only appropriate attitude for men is doubt because doubt is humble since history is full of examples of men of faith who got things wrong.
Many people of faith feel that it doesn't matter if we destroy the environment or pollute. They believe that the world is coming to an end so it just doesn't matter. They seem to even want it to come to an end and are almost working to hasten it. How sad. How tragic.
People need to use the brains they have and think. Solutions need to be found to protect our planet and find answers to problems. Answers can be found by searching for the truth, debating ideas. It's good to have an opinion and express it. People should strive to be the best they can be. Excellence must be encouraged.
Bill Maher says that faith means making a virtue out of not thinking and that those who preach faith are intellectual slave holders keeping mankind on bondage. I know that this is true in most religions because many churches believe you should blindly follow the direction of the minister who possesses all truth and wisdom. I know that most religions don't value or respect women.
Judaism, more than any other religion, believes in using your brain and finding solutions, in my opinion, although Bill Maher disagrees, the Jewish man with the mouth. I appreciate Bill Maher for pointing out things that most people don't have the courage to say. He has a right to his opinion. He has a right to a forum.
Bill Maher says at the end of his film that the only appropriate attitude for men is doubt because doubt is humble since history is full of examples of men of faith who got things wrong.
Many people of faith feel that it doesn't matter if we destroy the environment or pollute. They believe that the world is coming to an end so it just doesn't matter. They seem to even want it to come to an end and are almost working to hasten it. How sad. How tragic.
People need to use the brains they have and think. Solutions need to be found to protect our planet and find answers to problems. Answers can be found by searching for the truth, debating ideas. It's good to have an opinion and express it. People should strive to be the best they can be. Excellence must be encouraged.
Swine Flu
Swine Flu is in the news and is a potential global pandemic emergency. I saw on CNN that the source of the problem is a pig farm in the heart of Mexico owned by Smithfield Farms. I thought this was interesting. Smithfield Farms is the apple pie kingdom of former Senator Gordon Smith of Oregon who would rather pay fines than clean up and stop polluting. Senator Gordon Smith, a Mormon or member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is among many who disregard the need to protect our environment.
CNN reported that Smithfield Farms said that their farm isn't causing the problem. Is this true or not? If Smithfield Farms are doing the checking, how can you trust it? There needs to be an independent agency that goes in to determine if Smithfield Farms is causing the problem. I doubt CNN would risk saying that the heart of the problem is the pig farm owned by Smithfield Farms, unless it was true.
CNN reported that Smithfield Farms said that their farm isn't causing the problem. Is this true or not? If Smithfield Farms are doing the checking, how can you trust it? There needs to be an independent agency that goes in to determine if Smithfield Farms is causing the problem. I doubt CNN would risk saying that the heart of the problem is the pig farm owned by Smithfield Farms, unless it was true.
Health Care
President Obama said recently that it isn't hard to protect social security but the problem is the health care system and medicare.
There shouldn't be a problem with protecting medicare either and giving health care to everyone in this country, IF and I say IF, someone takes GREED out of the equation.
There is something very wrong when you look at hospital bills to find charges for items that should be cheap that have a price several times its cost. It's interesting that hospitals can be a nonprofit when they are a cash cow. In order to make sure they don't show a profit, they escalate all the charges for doctors fees and all the supplies and medications that are used for the patient.
Greed must be halted. It's destroying our country. There should be a cap on the amount of profit that can be taken. Why aren't the law enforcement agencies in our country using their power to stop it. Greed is bankrupting our country and is destroying the American way of life.
There shouldn't be a problem with protecting medicare either and giving health care to everyone in this country, IF and I say IF, someone takes GREED out of the equation.
There is something very wrong when you look at hospital bills to find charges for items that should be cheap that have a price several times its cost. It's interesting that hospitals can be a nonprofit when they are a cash cow. In order to make sure they don't show a profit, they escalate all the charges for doctors fees and all the supplies and medications that are used for the patient.
Greed must be halted. It's destroying our country. There should be a cap on the amount of profit that can be taken. Why aren't the law enforcement agencies in our country using their power to stop it. Greed is bankrupting our country and is destroying the American way of life.
Mangoes
I had to look up in the dictionary to check on the plural of mangoes. In the New Oxford American Dictionary Second Edition, it says that either mangoes or mangos is okay. I wasn't sure so I always use a dictionary.
I had two mangoes for breakfast this morning that I bought at Safeway at 2 for $1.00. Great price and they were delicious. Mangoes after you peel them are slippery and there isn't much fruit on a mango but they are good for you and are a great breakfast treat. What else did I have for breakfast? A bran muffin from Safeway. I love the bran muffins from Safeway and I bought four to have for several days.
While I was playing canasta with my husband this morning and eating my mangoes, my husband commented about President Bush trading technology and computers for mangoes from India. He said this trade was like the Indians trading beans for Manhatten.
I had two mangoes for breakfast this morning that I bought at Safeway at 2 for $1.00. Great price and they were delicious. Mangoes after you peel them are slippery and there isn't much fruit on a mango but they are good for you and are a great breakfast treat. What else did I have for breakfast? A bran muffin from Safeway. I love the bran muffins from Safeway and I bought four to have for several days.
While I was playing canasta with my husband this morning and eating my mangoes, my husband commented about President Bush trading technology and computers for mangoes from India. He said this trade was like the Indians trading beans for Manhatten.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Script Frenzy
I just came through the finish line as a winner for Script Frenzy, the challenge to write the first draft of a screenplay in the month of April. The challenge was to write 100 pages of a screenplay. I'm still not finished because I still have more drama, the big crisis, and the ending to add. I'm working from my novel that I wrote in November for National Novel Writing Month. I left off on page 138 of my novel and still have to go to the end on page 182. Then rewrites come to cut what isn't needed and to rework words to add more suspense and conflict. Oh, the fun of it all.
You can go to http://www.scriptfrenzy.org/ and do a search for wendywrites to find me.
Now I think I need a nap!
Hats off to Chris Baty who created the challenge of Script Frenzy and National Novel Writing Month. He's my writing hero. He's amazing, selfless, and is responsible for writers blossoming around the world. He deserves great rewards and praise for all his accomplishments.
You can go to http://www.scriptfrenzy.org/ and do a search for wendywrites to find me.
Now I think I need a nap!
Hats off to Chris Baty who created the challenge of Script Frenzy and National Novel Writing Month. He's my writing hero. He's amazing, selfless, and is responsible for writers blossoming around the world. He deserves great rewards and praise for all his accomplishments.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Script Frenzy
I've been writing fast and furious. I put myself on a schedule starting on April 23rd to write 15 pages a day. So far I am doing it. Right now I'm on page 76 so I'm right on schedule. I'll finish in two days. Such a deal.
I love these writing challenges. I love to press myself beyond what I think is possible. This will be the first time that I have finished a complete first draft of a 100 page screenplay. I am basing this screenplay on the nano novel that I wrote in November, another great challenge.
Now I HAVE to participate in both competitions. It's addictive. It's necessary. It pushes me. It's exhilarating.
www.scriptfrenzy.org
www.nanowrimo.org
Next time join in the fun. Challenge yourself. See what is possible.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Countrywide
We just refinanced our house with a lower interest rate of 5.2% with Countrywide. We signed the papers a few days ago so it's a big load off my mind. Things will be easier.
I love our house in Alsea and our property. It's a tiny house and we aren't close to mega shopping but it is where we can afford to live. It's beautiful here and I love it. I love the wild birds that visit. I love the fresh air. I love the weather that is mild year around. I love it that I can have a garden. My husband would never move from here. He's happy and loves to cut brush. It's a great place to write and to read stacks of books. Out my front room window as I write, I see cows grazing and birds in the wetland across the road. Everything will be a little easier now.
Thanks, Countrywide for helping us out.
I love our house in Alsea and our property. It's a tiny house and we aren't close to mega shopping but it is where we can afford to live. It's beautiful here and I love it. I love the wild birds that visit. I love the fresh air. I love the weather that is mild year around. I love it that I can have a garden. My husband would never move from here. He's happy and loves to cut brush. It's a great place to write and to read stacks of books. Out my front room window as I write, I see cows grazing and birds in the wetland across the road. Everything will be a little easier now.
Thanks, Countrywide for helping us out.
Timberhill Athletic Club
I am back at Timberhill Athletic Club. I love it there. I'm one of those strange beings who loves to exercise and there is no better place than Timberhill.
I started back on Friday. I wasn't sure that I could finish my usual schedule but I did so I was happy. I did one hour on the elliptical runner and I swam in the pool for one hour. Yesterday I went back for another hour on the elliptical runner and another hour in the deep in of the pool.
It's pretty close to heaven being at Timberhill. I love being in the water in the deep end of the lap pool and I love the Precor elliptical machines.
My top priorities for my health are to exercise and to eat healthy.
I started back on Friday. I wasn't sure that I could finish my usual schedule but I did so I was happy. I did one hour on the elliptical runner and I swam in the pool for one hour. Yesterday I went back for another hour on the elliptical runner and another hour in the deep in of the pool.
It's pretty close to heaven being at Timberhill. I love being in the water in the deep end of the lap pool and I love the Precor elliptical machines.
My top priorities for my health are to exercise and to eat healthy.
Script Frenzy
So I am in the middle of Script Frenzy. I should be almost done or done but things have been a little chaotic this month with my husband so sick and everything that needs to be done. Anyway, I was determined not to give up and to finish. I put myself on a schedule of writing 15 pages a day starting on April 23rd. I have to get to page 60 today. The challenge of Script Frenzy is to write the first draft of a screenplay during the month of April. I am basing my screenplay on the nano novel I wrote for National Novel Writing Month in November. I've since gone through 4 revisions. I wrote the novel with a screenplay in mind. So I am in the middle of fun.
www.scriptfrenzy.org
www.nanowrimo.org
Let the fun continue...........
www.scriptfrenzy.org
www.nanowrimo.org
Let the fun continue...........
Bird Strikes
Bird strikes are in the news again. I saw an article in the Corvallis Gazette Times and on the CBS Evening News with Katie Couric.
There are 1/2 million bird strikes a year or 23 a day. The majority of bird strikes (birds that fly into the engines of jet planes) don't cause a safety hazard. JFK is built in the middle of wetlands. Canada Geese brought down Flight 1549. Is the answer to get rid of birds? NO! NO!
The answer is to solve the problem. Everyone I've talked to said it is impossible to solve the problem. What kind of thinking is that? I don't believe that any problem can't be solved. There should be a covering over the engines to prevent the birds from going inside the engines and disabling them. With all the new lightweight materials created for large aircraft and all the gifted engineers out there, someone should be able to come up with a solution.
I bet that if there was a competition with the science stars from different high schools working with university engineering students and their professors, viable solutions could be found in every state of our nation.
There are 1/2 million bird strikes a year or 23 a day. The majority of bird strikes (birds that fly into the engines of jet planes) don't cause a safety hazard. JFK is built in the middle of wetlands. Canada Geese brought down Flight 1549. Is the answer to get rid of birds? NO! NO!
The answer is to solve the problem. Everyone I've talked to said it is impossible to solve the problem. What kind of thinking is that? I don't believe that any problem can't be solved. There should be a covering over the engines to prevent the birds from going inside the engines and disabling them. With all the new lightweight materials created for large aircraft and all the gifted engineers out there, someone should be able to come up with a solution.
I bet that if there was a competition with the science stars from different high schools working with university engineering students and their professors, viable solutions could be found in every state of our nation.
Tide
I love Tide and I wouldn't use anything else to wash my laundry. I've been using it for years. I'm happy that when concern about phosphates and the environment came up that Tide doesn't have any. I can trust Tide.
Tide now has a new program to help people in disasters. It's called Tide Loads of Hope. They help out by washing the clothes of disaster victims. That's nice. That's Tide.
Tide now has a new program to help people in disasters. It's called Tide Loads of Hope. They help out by washing the clothes of disaster victims. That's nice. That's Tide.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Homeless in Benton County
It's in the news this morning in the Corvallis Gazette Times that Benton County is hiring a mental health counselor for the homeless. Boy, that's going to solve the problem. It may help but it is not going to solve the problem for housing, the lack of medical resources, the lack of money, the lack of support structure, and the myriad of other problems that result when a society doesn't value people.
We need universal health care. We need to realize that there needs to be a basic level of care for all people. Every human being alive has potential to accomplish something positive in society, IF basic care is given. Some human beings have the genetics and genius to solve world problems and invent new solutions but if these people are homeless struggling to survive, eat, keep warm, and find a safe home, they cannot possibly contribute to our society. We lose. Genius doesn't just come from the richest 5% who have the money to nurture talent. Most often it comes in all skin colors, and all economic levels.
Why isn't housing built for the homeless? Churches who say they care about the homeless, should get together to build apartment buildings for the homeless.
I find it interesting that people who say they care about the homeless think that the homeless should have the opportunity to go wherever they want in downtown Corvallis or any city. The homeless have unique and special problems. When the homeless are given free range of any city, often a city changes. People start to stay away from downtown businesses because they are harrassed by homeless people. Once I visited a downtown grocery store. I got into my car and was putting on my seat belt. I looked out my windshield and saw a homeless guy in front of my car stomping on a bicycle. He was violent. I pressed the button for all my doors to lock. I couldn't leave my parking space because I was blocked. I tried to not cause attention to myself and waited for him to leave. This isn't okay. It isn't safe. It makes people not want to shop in the downtown stores where homeless people are allowed to wander.
The homeless are not bad people. They are people who have been thrown away by society and no longer valued. They are people who have lost their support system. Sometimes they have medical and drug abuse issues. Sometimes they have mental health problems. When budgets cut back on services to people and no longer served, it is a disaster waiting to happen. One mental health worker for the homeless isn't going to solve all the problems.
Anyone who has enough bad luck, loses their job and support system could find themselves homeless. They are no different from anyone else. They are people who are stressed to their limits. I've never been homeless but I feel compassion for those who are.
Maybe there should be centers built in areas of each state that are out in the country and not close to any population areas. All resources could be at these centers to uplift, encourage, and heal these people to get them ready to move into society as contributing adults. The centers should teach self sufficiency. They could grow their own food, learn to build their own buildings, learn to govern themselves, learn business, and heal.
All people matter, all people are of worth and not just the richest 5% of the population with all the money.
When I hear the rich grumbling and saying that they have it so hard, I roll my eyes. Some of the richest people want to leave Manhattan because they don't want to pay the taxes. Shame on them for being so selfish! Maybe the rich can't buy every toy they want now or change mansions every three years or have to give up one of their vacation homes. All they can think of is themselves. Greed rules in this country. It dominates the Republican Party. It dominates in the hearts of conservatives who don't care about other people who are less fortunate.
A new reality show would be interesting to place a team of homeless people and a team of the richest 5% of Americans and see if they can learn to find common ground and learn to respect one another and learn from one another.
We should all be kinder to one another. We should all be nicer. We should smile, even when we are having a hard time. We should find ways to reach out to help and reach out to encourage.
I'm grateful we have President Obama in the White House. He is the greatest President in the history of the United States. He will solve the problems in this country. He will turn things around. He will make things better. He is a good man, a kind man, a genius.
We need universal health care. We need to realize that there needs to be a basic level of care for all people. Every human being alive has potential to accomplish something positive in society, IF basic care is given. Some human beings have the genetics and genius to solve world problems and invent new solutions but if these people are homeless struggling to survive, eat, keep warm, and find a safe home, they cannot possibly contribute to our society. We lose. Genius doesn't just come from the richest 5% who have the money to nurture talent. Most often it comes in all skin colors, and all economic levels.
Why isn't housing built for the homeless? Churches who say they care about the homeless, should get together to build apartment buildings for the homeless.
I find it interesting that people who say they care about the homeless think that the homeless should have the opportunity to go wherever they want in downtown Corvallis or any city. The homeless have unique and special problems. When the homeless are given free range of any city, often a city changes. People start to stay away from downtown businesses because they are harrassed by homeless people. Once I visited a downtown grocery store. I got into my car and was putting on my seat belt. I looked out my windshield and saw a homeless guy in front of my car stomping on a bicycle. He was violent. I pressed the button for all my doors to lock. I couldn't leave my parking space because I was blocked. I tried to not cause attention to myself and waited for him to leave. This isn't okay. It isn't safe. It makes people not want to shop in the downtown stores where homeless people are allowed to wander.
The homeless are not bad people. They are people who have been thrown away by society and no longer valued. They are people who have lost their support system. Sometimes they have medical and drug abuse issues. Sometimes they have mental health problems. When budgets cut back on services to people and no longer served, it is a disaster waiting to happen. One mental health worker for the homeless isn't going to solve all the problems.
Anyone who has enough bad luck, loses their job and support system could find themselves homeless. They are no different from anyone else. They are people who are stressed to their limits. I've never been homeless but I feel compassion for those who are.
Maybe there should be centers built in areas of each state that are out in the country and not close to any population areas. All resources could be at these centers to uplift, encourage, and heal these people to get them ready to move into society as contributing adults. The centers should teach self sufficiency. They could grow their own food, learn to build their own buildings, learn to govern themselves, learn business, and heal.
All people matter, all people are of worth and not just the richest 5% of the population with all the money.
When I hear the rich grumbling and saying that they have it so hard, I roll my eyes. Some of the richest people want to leave Manhattan because they don't want to pay the taxes. Shame on them for being so selfish! Maybe the rich can't buy every toy they want now or change mansions every three years or have to give up one of their vacation homes. All they can think of is themselves. Greed rules in this country. It dominates the Republican Party. It dominates in the hearts of conservatives who don't care about other people who are less fortunate.
A new reality show would be interesting to place a team of homeless people and a team of the richest 5% of Americans and see if they can learn to find common ground and learn to respect one another and learn from one another.
We should all be kinder to one another. We should all be nicer. We should smile, even when we are having a hard time. We should find ways to reach out to help and reach out to encourage.
I'm grateful we have President Obama in the White House. He is the greatest President in the history of the United States. He will solve the problems in this country. He will turn things around. He will make things better. He is a good man, a kind man, a genius.
Credit Cards
It's interesting how credit card companies raise interest rates that used to be thought of as loan shark rates, raise fees, and then the credit of individuals are destroyed and the people can't pay their credit card bills anymore. Sometimes it seems like that the people who are in charge of money are clueless since it seems logical to me that you don't destroy the population that you depend upon for business survival.
Weather
It's a gorgeous day today. It's 5:43 a.m. in Alsea at the moment. The birds are already singing in the trees in my front yard. It's going to be a warm day.
It's a day to spend out doors in the garden, walking, or soaking up the sun in a chair reading a great book.
It's a day to spend out doors in the garden, walking, or soaking up the sun in a chair reading a great book.
Torture
Do I agree with President Obama's release of documents that prove that President Bush ordered torture? Yes. The truth is the truth and should be displayed for the world. Torture is a crime, an international crime and should not be sanctioned or condoned.
Blogger Review
I received an e-mail from Blogger saying that I need to fill out a form or my blog will be deleted but I can't find the form. The link was supposed to take me from my e-mail box to the form but instead it placed me on the blogger dashboard of my blog. The message is gone now saying that my blog might be deleted. Thank you, Blogger. Thank you, Google the Great.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Freedom of Speech
I just received a message that my blog is considered as spam by someone and my blog is going to be reviewed.
If my blog is deleted because of my own opinions, then this country is in pretty bad shape. Everyone has a right to an opinion in this country. I don't attend public protests. I believe in the law and the right to debate with words. I am speaking my own truth based on my own experience.
If my blog is deleted because of my own opinions, then this country is in pretty bad shape. Everyone has a right to an opinion in this country. I don't attend public protests. I believe in the law and the right to debate with words. I am speaking my own truth based on my own experience.
Taxes
I shake my head at all the people who are publically protesting taxes. President Obama just lowered taxes for 95% of the population but the richest 5% who want to keep every penny and not share a dime are manipulating others into believing that taxes for the rich is bad. In fact, these people are going even further and saying that no one should pay taxes. That's anarchy in my book.
It is amazing to me how some poor and middle-income Republicans buy into the idea that the rich need every penny and carry the banner for the agenda of the rich.
After the economic devastation of the last eight years of the Bush administration where greed ruled, it's about time that everyone has a chance, not just the richest 5%.
We need universal health care for all people. Hospitals and doctors should concentrate on prevention and giving care, not in the almighty dollar.
We need to protect social security, which is the only proven retirement system. If you put this money in the hands of private enterprise, you know how that will turn out. It will be a crap shoot, or a lottery. We can't allow the elderly who are no longer able to take care of themselves to be put out in the street with no protection. Government was set up as a safe guard to protect the people of the United States and Social Security was created to protect the elderly at a time when they are most vulnerable.
President Obama is doing all the right things to protect the people in this country. We have never had a better President in the history of the United States. He has my complete trust and faith.
It is amazing to me how some poor and middle-income Republicans buy into the idea that the rich need every penny and carry the banner for the agenda of the rich.
After the economic devastation of the last eight years of the Bush administration where greed ruled, it's about time that everyone has a chance, not just the richest 5%.
We need universal health care for all people. Hospitals and doctors should concentrate on prevention and giving care, not in the almighty dollar.
We need to protect social security, which is the only proven retirement system. If you put this money in the hands of private enterprise, you know how that will turn out. It will be a crap shoot, or a lottery. We can't allow the elderly who are no longer able to take care of themselves to be put out in the street with no protection. Government was set up as a safe guard to protect the people of the United States and Social Security was created to protect the elderly at a time when they are most vulnerable.
President Obama is doing all the right things to protect the people in this country. We have never had a better President in the history of the United States. He has my complete trust and faith.
Religion
Where am I on the religion front? I feel disillusioned from my questions and experiences. I still don't know where I belong or if I want to belong. I grew up as a Lutheran going to church every Sunday with my parents. I had an unfortunate experience as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1995 to 2001 during which time I found out that this church is not what it seems or pretends. I was recently told by an Episcopal priest that if I go to church, I should sit in the back and not talk--in other words, I should hide my light under a bushel. I've always told my children to be the best you can be and to shine so that advice just didn't feel right since I am looking for a place where I will be encouraged to live up to my potential. I learned in attending services at an Episcopal church that in the 3rd century, the story of Jesus was changed and politically motivated. Jesus, a good Jewish boy who wanted everyone to get along and be kind to one another became more than a man in order to jazz up the story. Then I saw a special on the history channel called Christmas Unwrapped with the details and evidence. My husband was raised Jewish. I spoke with a Rabbi recently who said that God is within and answers come from within so why go to church or synagogue? Or was he saying to me that I didn't belong there either? A few years ago, I spoke with a woman my age who said that if she didn't keep up her membership in her church, she would have no friends. I thought that was sad. I still enjoy watching and listening to Joel Osteen every week. He's positive and encouraging but you have to live in Houston to be part of his church. So I'm waiting. Someday I will figure it out. Someday it will become clear where I belong.
Doctors and Health Care
I was recently sent an evaluation form for a doctor. I ignored it for a couple of weeks. I didn't want to fill it out. After my husband kept nudging me to fill it out and send it in, I finally did. I answered it honestly based on my experience as I stood in my shoes. After I sent it in, a part of me wished I had shredded the evaluation and not turned it in. I don't like the idea of judging someone who went to medical school and who really tries even if they don't always hit A-level behavior. Then I thought about it some more and realized that a check and balance system is necessary. Doctors aren't gods who must be revered and never challenged or questioned. Everyone is human. Everyone has a right to an opinion. If it weren't for lawyers who keep people on their toes and journalists who dig up the truth, only crooks would rule.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Leslie
My husband, Leslie and I have been married almost 37 years. It will be 37 years on April 17th.
Les has been seriously ill and was recently in the hospital at Good Samaritan in Corvallis. He was in ICU for five days and on 2nd South for 5 days. He had to have hemodialysis for over a month and is now recovering. He no longer has to have dialysis. His body is healing and he feels much better. Why did this medical emergency occur? No one knows. No one has figured it out yet. No one has any definitive answers.
Les was seriously ill and was in the hospital at Good Samaritan in Corvallis in 2007. No one knew why he landed in the hospital and almost died that time either. Could it have something to do with what happened this time?
Was it residual effects from Valley Fever or coccidioidomycosis that he contracted in 1978 when we lived in Arroyo Grande, California?
Is it auto-immune?
Is it a medication allergy or other allergy?
Infection?
Tests during the hospital ruled out most of these questions. So what is it?
Dr. Broskie in Salem sent his records and slides to Dr. J. Charles Jennette at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Dr. Jennette is the number one kidney pathologist in the world and Dr. Broskie studied under him in medical school. Dr. Jennette said it's an allergy but tests haven't been taken to identify the allergy.
Answers are needed so he doesn't land in the hospital again with life-threatening symptoms. Doctors are consulting with one another. Zillions of tests have been taken but no answers so far have been found.
When Les came home from the hospital with renal failure and having to have hemodialysis, I started to measure urine, even though I wasn't asked to do so, and write down everything he ate and drank to give to his doctors. I figured that his diet was important and knowing what went in and out was important for the doctors to know. Maybe it helped. At least I gave doctors data they wouldn't have had so they could make decisions about diet change. I freqently played the positive affirmations CD, I AM HEALED NOW put out by Think Right Now. http://www.thinkrightnow.com/. I think that helped too.
Bills are piling up and may come to a 1/2 a million buckeroos. We will never finish paying off these kind of bills. I need to win the lottery or have Publishers Clearinghouse drive up to my door. If people were valued in this country and if there were universal health care, worry about money for doctor bills wouldn't be an issue. In the United States, greed rules.
There is so much in life that we can't do anything about and are powerless to change. All you can do is do your best every day to keep one foot in front of the other to move forward.
Les has been seriously ill and was recently in the hospital at Good Samaritan in Corvallis. He was in ICU for five days and on 2nd South for 5 days. He had to have hemodialysis for over a month and is now recovering. He no longer has to have dialysis. His body is healing and he feels much better. Why did this medical emergency occur? No one knows. No one has figured it out yet. No one has any definitive answers.
Les was seriously ill and was in the hospital at Good Samaritan in Corvallis in 2007. No one knew why he landed in the hospital and almost died that time either. Could it have something to do with what happened this time?
Was it residual effects from Valley Fever or coccidioidomycosis that he contracted in 1978 when we lived in Arroyo Grande, California?
Is it auto-immune?
Is it a medication allergy or other allergy?
Infection?
Tests during the hospital ruled out most of these questions. So what is it?
Dr. Broskie in Salem sent his records and slides to Dr. J. Charles Jennette at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Dr. Jennette is the number one kidney pathologist in the world and Dr. Broskie studied under him in medical school. Dr. Jennette said it's an allergy but tests haven't been taken to identify the allergy.
Answers are needed so he doesn't land in the hospital again with life-threatening symptoms. Doctors are consulting with one another. Zillions of tests have been taken but no answers so far have been found.
When Les came home from the hospital with renal failure and having to have hemodialysis, I started to measure urine, even though I wasn't asked to do so, and write down everything he ate and drank to give to his doctors. I figured that his diet was important and knowing what went in and out was important for the doctors to know. Maybe it helped. At least I gave doctors data they wouldn't have had so they could make decisions about diet change. I freqently played the positive affirmations CD, I AM HEALED NOW put out by Think Right Now. http://www.thinkrightnow.com/. I think that helped too.
Bills are piling up and may come to a 1/2 a million buckeroos. We will never finish paying off these kind of bills. I need to win the lottery or have Publishers Clearinghouse drive up to my door. If people were valued in this country and if there were universal health care, worry about money for doctor bills wouldn't be an issue. In the United States, greed rules.
There is so much in life that we can't do anything about and are powerless to change. All you can do is do your best every day to keep one foot in front of the other to move forward.
Fred Decker
On the front page of the Corvallis Gazette Times this morning on the center fold is the story about Fred Decker. I was sad to see that he died last Friday. I knew Fred Decker from Toastmasters in Corvallis. He was a distinguished toastmaster or DTM, an honor earned from being a great speaker. He had a brilliant mind and loved to debate issues. I liked him and respected him, even though I didn't agree with him on every issue.
He had been selected by President Reagan for a position in the Department of Education and was very proud of this honor. I learned from the article in the GT that he was the founding father of atmospheric sciences at Oregon State University and was professor emeritus in the College of Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences. He believed in protecting the environment. He was a philatelist, a collector of postage stamps.
He was 91. He encouraged people and was a good person. He encouraged me. I valued him. It would have been nice to have had frequent conversations where I could have learned more from him--how he thought, why he believed in what he did, and what was important to him. People don't talk much anymore. Fred Decker liked to talk and believed in having an opinion. He will be missed.
He had been selected by President Reagan for a position in the Department of Education and was very proud of this honor. I learned from the article in the GT that he was the founding father of atmospheric sciences at Oregon State University and was professor emeritus in the College of Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences. He believed in protecting the environment. He was a philatelist, a collector of postage stamps.
He was 91. He encouraged people and was a good person. He encouraged me. I valued him. It would have been nice to have had frequent conversations where I could have learned more from him--how he thought, why he believed in what he did, and what was important to him. People don't talk much anymore. Fred Decker liked to talk and believed in having an opinion. He will be missed.
Sunday, April 05, 2009
Margaret Anderson
I learned at the feet of a master teacher and writer yesterday when I attended FOOLING AROUND WITH WORDS from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at LBCC Benton Center in Corvallis. I came to hear Margaret Anderson who has written 29 books for children and probably hundreds of articles. She writes about science and has a way of getting anyone within hearing range excited about science. I admire her. She is the greatest writer that I know personally. She should be honored at the White House for her accomplishments. She should also appear on the Craig Ferguson show on late night television since she was born in Scotland. He would love her too.
She earned her degree in genetics from Edinburgh University in Scotland.
When she walked her little sister, Ann, to school a mile from their home, she told her stories to get her to hurry so she arrived on time. She's been telling stories her whole life and she is great at engaging the attention of everyone.
She was an amazing mother who stayed at home with her children and taught them all to love learning. She said that she told ironing stories. As she stood ironing, her children would sit around her listening to her stories.
When she was asked by Enslow Publishers to pick either Darwin or Mendel for the Great Minds of Science Series that goes into schools and libraries, you would think she would choose Mendel since she has a degree in genetics and learned all about his fruit fly experiements at university but instead she chose Darwin who already had 27 books about Darwin on the library shelf. I think that is so cool that she wasn't at all intimidated by all the books already written as most writers would be. I know I could read all of the books written about Darwin and I know that Margaret Anderson's book about Darwin is the best. She says it better. She picks the words that will spark the interest and find common ground with the reader so they will want to learn. She's a master writer and a master teacher. I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to learn from her yesterday. I admire and respect Margaret for her writing, her great accomplishments, her teaching, and as a person.
Order all of Margaret Anderson's books to give to your children and all the children you know. Read them outloud to the children in your life and see the magic of great writing that encourages learning. Go to Grass Roots Bookstore in Corvallis at 227 SW 2nd Street to buy them or go to http://www.amazon.com/ If you go to Grass Roots Bookstore, you have a chance of having the books autographed. Call Grass Roots at 1-541-754-7668 to order several copies of Margaret Anderson's books. Since she lives in Corvallis, it is highly likely that Grass Roots can arrange to have your books autographed.
Writers should study the books and articles of Margaret Anderson to learn how to write well. There should be a university class in every university that has a writing program that reads, discusses, and studies only the books of Margaret Anderson. She is that great. Just read her and see for yourself.
Also subscribe to ASK Magazine which is part of the Cricket Magazine Group put out by the Smithsonian. It's an amazing science magazine for children. Coming up in the newest issue about dirt is Margaret's article about the burying beetle. Learn all about it. You will love ASK magazine and you will treasure each time you see an article by Margaret.
Thank you, Margaret for one of the best days I've spent in a long time.
She earned her degree in genetics from Edinburgh University in Scotland.
When she walked her little sister, Ann, to school a mile from their home, she told her stories to get her to hurry so she arrived on time. She's been telling stories her whole life and she is great at engaging the attention of everyone.
She was an amazing mother who stayed at home with her children and taught them all to love learning. She said that she told ironing stories. As she stood ironing, her children would sit around her listening to her stories.
When she was asked by Enslow Publishers to pick either Darwin or Mendel for the Great Minds of Science Series that goes into schools and libraries, you would think she would choose Mendel since she has a degree in genetics and learned all about his fruit fly experiements at university but instead she chose Darwin who already had 27 books about Darwin on the library shelf. I think that is so cool that she wasn't at all intimidated by all the books already written as most writers would be. I know I could read all of the books written about Darwin and I know that Margaret Anderson's book about Darwin is the best. She says it better. She picks the words that will spark the interest and find common ground with the reader so they will want to learn. She's a master writer and a master teacher. I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to learn from her yesterday. I admire and respect Margaret for her writing, her great accomplishments, her teaching, and as a person.
Order all of Margaret Anderson's books to give to your children and all the children you know. Read them outloud to the children in your life and see the magic of great writing that encourages learning. Go to Grass Roots Bookstore in Corvallis at 227 SW 2nd Street to buy them or go to http://www.amazon.com/ If you go to Grass Roots Bookstore, you have a chance of having the books autographed. Call Grass Roots at 1-541-754-7668 to order several copies of Margaret Anderson's books. Since she lives in Corvallis, it is highly likely that Grass Roots can arrange to have your books autographed.
Writers should study the books and articles of Margaret Anderson to learn how to write well. There should be a university class in every university that has a writing program that reads, discusses, and studies only the books of Margaret Anderson. She is that great. Just read her and see for yourself.
Also subscribe to ASK Magazine which is part of the Cricket Magazine Group put out by the Smithsonian. It's an amazing science magazine for children. Coming up in the newest issue about dirt is Margaret's article about the burying beetle. Learn all about it. You will love ASK magazine and you will treasure each time you see an article by Margaret.
Thank you, Margaret for one of the best days I've spent in a long time.
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
Casey Eye Institute
I visited the Casey Eye Institute yesterday near the waterfront in downtown Portland on the 11th floor. I love looking out the windows to see the full panorama of Portland with the beautiful KOIN tower, the Willamette River snaking through the landscape, the boats, the highways with tiny cars, the bridges, the apartment buildings, homes, and businesses nestled in all the spots to fill up the landscape. Portland is a beautiful city.
I enjoyed the elevator rides. The female voice on the elevator is very pleasant announcing each floor and I enjoyed her company. On my final ride out the building, I commented to the woman next to me about her pleasant voice. She said, “Yes, but it gets old when you hear it several times a day.” So I said, “Well, then they need to add a jazzy hologram.” She thought that was a great idea. So do I. People would come to the OHSU Health and Wellness Center just to ride the elevators.
I parked far away from the elevator in the parking structure on the purple level 1. I was thinking as I walked towards the elevator that the air quality was horrible and filled with exhaust. My mind then went to one of my ideas that there needs to be air purifiers in all cars, especially when you are stuck in a traffic jam in a large city on a freeway. Then I wondered why there isn’t an air purifying system on airplanes to prevent the notorious air circulation that often circulates unwanted air-born illnesses. So I thought that’s another thing that is needed at this location—an air purifying system in the parking structure.
When I was taking the visual field test, I remembered what I thought when I was first told I was going to take the test. I had imagined it much differently. I thought my head would be face down on a table held comfortably cradled in some kind of soft material overlooking a tank of water. I thought I would have to tell or signal exactly where the moving object occurred, which is different than just pressing a button when I saw a tiny light in different points of my field of vision. I guess it would be hard though to keep your eyes focused in the center with my field of vision test because there would be so many exciting things happening in the tank of water with all kinds of fish movement and other points of interest. Or it could be animated and interactive with all interaction directly fed into the computer to be evaluated. There could be Disney animation for children. Oh the possibilities.............
I enjoyed the elevator rides. The female voice on the elevator is very pleasant announcing each floor and I enjoyed her company. On my final ride out the building, I commented to the woman next to me about her pleasant voice. She said, “Yes, but it gets old when you hear it several times a day.” So I said, “Well, then they need to add a jazzy hologram.” She thought that was a great idea. So do I. People would come to the OHSU Health and Wellness Center just to ride the elevators.
I parked far away from the elevator in the parking structure on the purple level 1. I was thinking as I walked towards the elevator that the air quality was horrible and filled with exhaust. My mind then went to one of my ideas that there needs to be air purifiers in all cars, especially when you are stuck in a traffic jam in a large city on a freeway. Then I wondered why there isn’t an air purifying system on airplanes to prevent the notorious air circulation that often circulates unwanted air-born illnesses. So I thought that’s another thing that is needed at this location—an air purifying system in the parking structure.
When I was taking the visual field test, I remembered what I thought when I was first told I was going to take the test. I had imagined it much differently. I thought my head would be face down on a table held comfortably cradled in some kind of soft material overlooking a tank of water. I thought I would have to tell or signal exactly where the moving object occurred, which is different than just pressing a button when I saw a tiny light in different points of my field of vision. I guess it would be hard though to keep your eyes focused in the center with my field of vision test because there would be so many exciting things happening in the tank of water with all kinds of fish movement and other points of interest. Or it could be animated and interactive with all interaction directly fed into the computer to be evaluated. There could be Disney animation for children. Oh the possibilities.............
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